Sales tax numbers continue to be strong in both Baxter County and the City of Mountain Home in the month of June, reflecting spending during April.
Baxter County Treasurer Jenay Mize says the numbers are not as high as the previous month, but the county remains above projections.
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Mize adds the county is approximately 4% above projection on the jail tax.
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At the City of Mountain Home, Treasurer Marshella Norell says collections from the county were $192,437, down $4,569 or 2% from the previous month. Compared to the same month last year, the tax collections are up $8,434 or 9.6%.
The city sales tax collected in April totaled $435,403, a decrease of $22,240 or 4.9% from the previous month. Compared to the same month last year, the increase was $13,080 or 3.1%.
The Baxter County sales tax is divided among the county and the eight municipalities. In addition to Mountain Home, Gassville took in $32,191, Cotter received $15,026, Lakeview got $11,479, Norfork took in $7,916, Salesville received $6,971, Briarcliff got $3,656 and Big Flat took in $1,611.
On a related note, county officials are receiving improved revenue reports from Little Rock regarding state funding.
Reduced driving by Arkansans staying close to home during the pandemic has contributed to cutbacks in the Baxter County Road and Bridge Department.
In late May, Baxter County Judge Mickey Pendergrass told KTLO, Classic Hits and The Boot news state officials have warned of cutbacks for several weeks.
Based on earlier estimated decreased revenue reports from the state of between 35 and 50%, hourly employees of the Road and Bridge Department were reduced to three-day work weeks.
Judge Pendergrass said last week the reductions in state revenue are now estimated to be only in the 20% range.
Funding for the Road and Bridge Department does not include any local sales tax. Locally generated sales tax funds are designated for the remaining functions of county government, including the operation of the jail.
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