Kimball sees increase in sales tax revenue

The City of Kimball has seen an increase in sales tax compared to this same time last year.

According to Amy Sapp, Special Projects Coordinator, this could be attributed to both an increased number of seasonal workers in the area, as well as, increased spending locally.

“We’ve got contractors in town and we have seen an influx of retirees from Colorado moving into town. My opinion is that a retiree is more likely to shop locally than drive an hour out of town to get something.”

The city collected $467,000 during the last fiscal year, October through September, but projections for the current fiscal year are around $515,000.

“We have only had two months where we didn’t see an increase,” Sapp said. “Last year at this time we were at $339,000, this year we are at $379,000 – about a ten percent increase.”

Marketing local businesses and business owners trying to branch out to keep citizens in Kimball may also be having a positive effect, according to Sapp.

“I see a lot more businesses trying to do different things,” Sapp said.

Shopping locally helps the entire community, as the money that is spent in Kimball stays in Kimball, but also through increased sales tax revenue.

What can increased sales tax revenue mean for residents?

Sales tax revenue is divided by departments for a variety of uses, according to Sapp, such as streets, the library, the pool, cemetery, event center, economic development and general budget. An increase in sales tax revenue will mean better streets, nicer parks and other amenities for current and future citizens.