Area cities and towns had mixed results from their September sales tax receipts, according to figures provided by the Oklahoma Tax Commission.
Elgin had the largest decline in revenue with $154,446 compared to $178,323 from the same time period a year ago.
Mayor JJ Francais wrote in a text that he believes the near $24,000 drop in sales tax for September is part of a national trend as families reduce their spending due to inflation and uncertainty in the stock market.
“I remain hopeful that in the coming months collection will rebound, due in part, to the school traffic,” he wrote. “The City of Elgin continues to see growth both in the residential and commercial sectors. I remain convinced our best days lay in front of us.”
September 2022 distribution of sales tax collections by the OTC primarily represents local tax receipts from July business.
Medicine Park was also down more than $9,000 for September 2022 compared to September 2021. The town received $65,889 this month, but last September Medicine Park received $75,029 in sales tax distribution.
“We have several new businesses opening up so those numbers should be going up,” Medicine Park Town Treasurer/Clerk Yolanda Ramos said.
Meanwhile, Fletcher experienced a $5,400 gain with $37,024. Last September, the town received $31,590.
“I don’t know for sure why it’s up, but I’m assuming our businesses did very well,” said Town Clerk Nettie Fisher.
She noted that the town’s use tax increased in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which prompted many people to shop online.
The use tax is incurred when items are purchased online from another state and no sales tax is charged, but the item is used once it arrives in Oklahoma. Buyers of out-of-state products can report the use tax on their state income tax filings.
Fletcher’s September 2022 use tax totaled $12,237 compared to $8,562 for September 2021.
“It’s pretty well stayed up even though there’s not as many (COVID) restrictions,” Fisher added. “People have gotten used to that (ordering online), plus gas prices went up and they’re saving on that, too.”
In Sterling, the sales tax distribution numbers were almost identical. The town received $11,992 this month compared to $11,236 for the same time period a year ago.
Elgin, Medicine Park and Sterling all showed increases in the use tax for September 2022.