Sales tax revenue increases in March

An increase in sales tax receipts in March led to increases in the amount collected by the state and for the Optional Fifth Percent Tax levied in Sweetwater County.

According to Sweetwater County Treasurer Robb Slaughter, sales tax collected through the four percent state sales tax was up approximately $30,000 from the same time last year, while the Optional Fifth Percent Tax, which collects an additional percent on top of the state sales tax, was up $20,000 over last year.

“It was significantly higher than the prior year,” Slaughter said.

Slaughter said payments in January and February were almost identical to the amounts generated last year, but March 2019 had a 32 percent increase in sales-tax revenue over March 2018. Slaughter speculates the increase came from more Christmas shopping in December than in previous years, but isn’t sure what exactly led to the sudden jump.

While a majority of the county’s budget comes from ad valorem tax, Slaughter said he still monitors sales tax because the county does benefit from sales tax. Slaughter also said he anticipates sales tex revenue in April to be higher than last year.

Slaughter said he doesn’t see anything greatly impacting sales-tax collection in the near future. He said he does hear rumors about another oil and gas development taking off at the Normally Pressured Lance in Sublette County, a 3,500 well development adjacent to the Jonah Field. The Bureau of Land Management issued a record of decision for the NPL last August. However, Slaughter said discussions he’s has regarding development on the NPL have suggested that any development isn’t ready yet.

“It comes down to what the commodity prices are,” Slaughter said.

He said the natural gas prices have improved in the past few months, but it hasn’t been great enough to encourage further development.

Slaughter is preparing for the final distribution of 2012 Specific Purpose Tax collection, better known as the sixth penny tax.

The sales tax was approved on the 2012 ballot and while the tax was removed last year, Slaughter said some funds were invested and plans to distribute them April 5.