Sales tax revenue relatively flat in Cape County

The Cape Girardeau County treasurer's office has released its midyear sales tax report, which shows little growth in tax revenue.

The low growth is a considerable difference from this time last year.

In 2015, the May year-to-date sales tax income had increased 7.75 percent from 2014. But though the increase in 2016 is smaller -- 1.68 percent -- sales-tax income still is increasing steadily year over year, and the May 2016 year-to-date total of $3,691,195.13 is higher than the same time period from the previous five years.

Most monthly reports in 2016 have been positive -- some less so than others. February in particular was a low month, with only a .43 percent increase from the same time last year.

Cape Girardeau County Treasurer Roger L. Hudson said he expects the numbers to stay relatively flat throughout the year.

"I think last spring, the economy was starting to boom a little bit, and we're seeing sort of a slowdown now," Hudson said.

He said he also believes car sales are down this year, which is contributing to the low growth.

County Assessor Bob Adams said the county assessment will be calculated by the end of the month. He does not expect an increase in taxes.

An update of the Cape Girardeau County use tax shows $492,888.92 collected since September 2015.

The collected use tax goes to a capital-improvement fund dedicated to building a new court facility and to renovate and repurpose the old courthouse.

Hudson said the county expects to collect $800,000 to $1 million each year.

The commission will have to wait to see how much tax money is generated annually before moving ahead with bond financing.

"They're going look at it for probably another year before they would finance anything," Hudson said. "It's still relatively new."

bbrown@semissourian.com

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