Sales taxes fuel county government

Mississippi County averages more than $3.5 million each year in revenue from county-wide sales taxes, according to charts presented to the Quorum Court Tuesday night by County Treasurer Peggy Meatte.

The figures, which represent revenues from the county-wide 1 cent general tax and the half-cent economic development tax, are returned to the county each month from the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration.

The receipts are returned the county approximately two months after the taxes are collected at area businesses, Meatte explained.

"The stores send their sales taxes to the state, who processes it. The state then sends it to us. It takes about two months for us to get our money back," she said.

On average, the largest amounts are received in the county in the month of February. That's because traditionally, more shopping takes place in the month of December, Meatte said.

According to the charts, the county received $3.1 million in economic development taxes in 2010 and $1.2 million in general sales tax revenues. The general sales tax revenues are less, Meatte explained, because the figure represents only the portion of the tax that is placed into the county general fund.

Much of the tax is spent on other specialized projects, such as the jail, schools, libraries, etc., Meatte said.

The 2010 figures reflect collections were up in 2010 compared to 2009, but down when compared to 2008 figures.

In the 10 years of collecting a 1 cent county wide tax, the county has received more than $12.2 million in receipts for the general fund.

In the eight years of collecting a half-cent for economic development, the county has received $18 million, the figures indicate.

These figures, along with the graph charts, can be seen on the county's new web site, which can be found at www.mcagov.com.

dhilton@blythevillecourier.com