The city of Augusta announced today that the July sales tax collection revenue is ahead 0.33 percent of last year’s amounts and is 2.40 percent ahead of budgeted revenue projections.
In a news release, Mayor Deke Copenhaver said, "... Though we have much of the year to go, it is encouraging to note that our sales tax collections are modestly up over year to date last year and that we’re exceeding our budgeted projections.”
If you want the city collections to skyrocket in growth... We need a expanded bus system, rail, development on the downtown and South Augusta riverfront, a downtown/urban village area in extreme South Augusta( near/around willis foreman, old waynesboro, Hwy 56/Brown rd intersection, etc) and another between the CBD and the Medical District...
This is what happens when you raise taxes the backdoor way by increasing assessements. Anyone who owns property in Augusta and pays property taxes knows this sham. You raise assessments on property in a recession when real home prices are falling and wham you can get more money without calling it raising taxes. Then politicians will ceremoniously say they are reducing the millage rate and claim they are reducing taxes.. but since many folks had their assessments jacked up..most are paying more in property taxes.
This story is on 'SALES TAX" not property taxes........
Sjsd17, Emerydan has to say something negative about Augusta 95% of the time... It doesn't matter if it's totally irrelevant
Sjsd, county, sales tax revenue can be used to decrease millage. That was the whole pro-SPLOST argument, that keeping the one percent would decrease the chance to raise taxes. It all goes into the same pool to run the county.
I have never minded sales tax increases if paired with equal decreases in property tax. Property owners seem to be picking up way more that their fair share. This would be akin to a consuption based tax which is all the rage these days.
this is collections, this isn't about more people shopping or the cities dubious economy. its probably just increased ENFORCEMENT. nothing to laugh, cry, tout, or write home to momma about.
Sales tax growth does equate with increased spending.. If residents start to spend more money, it means they feel confident about the economy. Visual pereceptions can play a big role in consumer confidence(i.e alot of construction visible)....
Maybe they just budgeted it low on purpose so that it looks like "2.40 percent ahead of budgeted revenue" is something they are doing is politically correct and will get re-elected?
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