| Growth yet to be seen |
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| News - Miami County News | |||
| Written by Robin Hixson | |||
| Wednesday, 14 January 2009 09:00 | |||
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Sales tax receipts increased in Miami County in 2008, but whether that’s a sign of growth is still in question. From 2007 to 2008, Paola’s tax receipts jumped 18 percent from about $1.833 million to more than $2.167 million, and Osawatomie’s jumped 27 percent from $500,288 to $636,644. Sales tax receipts for Fontana went up 8 percent from $18,500 to $19,957. Louisburg saw a 2 percent increase from slightly more than $1 million to about $1.02 million. Spring Hill sales tax receipts (not including those in Johnson County) rose 1 percent from $689,433 to $698,729. The remainder of Miami County saw a 2 percent increase from $2.12 million to $2.17 million. Miami County Economic Development Director Janet McRae said several factors contributed toward the rise in sales tax receipts, including an increase in local sales tax rates in Paola and Osawatomie. According to the Kansas Department of Revenue, Osawatomie raised its rate in 2008 from 0.5 percent to 1 percent, and Paola’s rose from 1 percent to 1.25 percent. “I think when, midsummer, people were paying more than $4 a gallon for gas, we had more people shopping locally, and I think that is a factor, too,” McRae said. Paola Walmart manager Mike Hursey agreed that gasoline prices kept shoppers closer to home, but he said the sales increases he saw were only in particular kinds of merchandise. “They were buying more food and stuff they really need,” he said. McRae also cited the rising costs of utilities, fuel, and other goods as a factor. She said December sales tax numbers won’t be available, however, until February because there’s a delay from when sales taxes are collected to when they are disbursed. “There’s a lag there,” she said. Whatever caused the rise in sales tax receipts, the fact that more sales taxes were collected in Miami County means it will also receive more benefit. “I think there is a segment of the people who shop locally who are fully aware that when they spend dollars here, those sales tax dollars go to fund programs, infrastructure and activities here in their own community,” McRae said.
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