Augusta sales tax outpaces neighbor

Recent 1-cent sales tax figures show Richmond County outpacing Columbia County in spending.

Columbia County Commission Chairman Ron Cross said a drop in disposable income has been seen in lower sales tax figures, which are often used to measure an area's spending and retail growth.

"People are just gun shy," Mr. Cross said. "The car sales are way off, which is a big sales tax engine. The expensive restaurants are way down."

So far this year, Augusta's sales tax revenues are up about 2 percent compared to the same months last year, said Richmond County's Assistant Finance Director Tim Schroer. Columbia County's sales tax figures are down 2 percent.

From January through September, Richmond County has generated more than $28.8 million in sales tax. During the same months last year, the county collected less than $28.5 million.

Though the growth isn't dramatic, Mr. Schroer said the numbers are typical of his steadfast county.

"I think it says wonders about the Richmond County economy," he said. "We're keeping our own. We don't have the big highs and lows that the rest of the country does. We're pretty steady."

From January through July 2007, Columbia County collected about $10.2 million in sales taxes. It collected $9.9 million during the same months this year. Revenue data for August and September wasn't available this week.

County officials intend to play it safe by cutting back on expenses, Mr. Cross said.

Phone messages left for Aiken County's finance director and administrator were not immediately returned Thursday.

Reach Donnie Fetter at (706) 868-1222, ext. 115, or donnie.fetter@augustachronicle.com.