Recent sales tax drops a bit

    While Imperial’s city sales tax revenues for the fourth quarter of 2020 are nothing to discount, they weren’t near the three other quarters last year.
    December’s total arrived last week to complete the fourth quarter with a total sales tax intake of $126,571.17 for October, November and December.
    That compares to the third quarter (July, August, September) of $139,052.46.
    Not surprisingly, December was the strongest month of the fourth quarter with the final weeks of Christmas shopping in full swing.
    December’s revenues totaled $44,968.62. November saw a sales tax total of $42,979.16, while October brought in $38,623.39.
    October 2020 had the lowest monthly total since September 2019, and the fourth quarter 2020 was the lowest quarter of revenues for the year.
    When the city receives its monthly sales tax receipts, the sales tax on vehicles is separated out and placed in the street department. The rest is then split 50/50 between an LB 840 economic development fund and the community development fund.
    Imperial’s original monthly sales tax revenues were estimated to be $20,000 to $30,000.