City Sales Tax Revenue Soars

The city of Wills Point enjoyed record-breaking sales tax revenues during the month of July. The city received $71,150 in August for the July sales, more than $8,000 over the average for the last three years.

Records going back to 1985 show that this is the most sales tax revenue the city has ever collected for a month.

"High gas prices would account for some of the increase," said city manager Jim Stephens. "People are staying closer to home, but we are also making an effort to increase retail sales in the city.

"With budget cuts happening throughout the United States, retail sales is at the top of the priority list for many cities," Stephens explained. "Cities have three streams of income – property taxes; city services, like water and trash pick up; and sales tax. The more our citizens buy from local businesses, the more the city can do for them, like fix the streets."

Along those lines, the city manager, chamber of commerce and Economic Development Corporation are working to increase potential business opportunities and citizen awareness.

"People don’t realize the cost of having an empty building in the city," Stephens said, and cited statistics that estimate a loss of close to $150,000 in sales, rents and salaries.

"This is one of the primary reasons we’re having our Autumn Stroll," he continued.

"We need to increase funding to the chamber," Stephens explained. "The chamber is the primary marketing tool to bring businesses and customers to our town.

"We also want to make our citizens aware of just how much is available to them locally. They may pay a little more buying locally, but the revenue is returned to them in services and improvements to the city.

The "Roaring 20’s on the Brick Streets" Autumn Stroll will take place on September 6, beginning at 5 p.m. The stroll includes historical presentations about several downtown buildings withrefreshments and hors d’oeuvres, entertainment along the way, and a dinner theater presentation.

Tickets are limited and can be purchased at the chamber of commerce. For more information call the chamber at (903) 873-3111.