MAYVILLE – Chautauqua County Executive Greg Edwards says that after six months, the sales tax revenue for Chautauqua County is staying on pace with annual projection.
Last week, WRFA asked Edwards about the sales tax revenue and the county executive said that although the numbers for the second quarter were slightly weaker than expected, a strong first quarter has helped to keep the numbers on track.
“In combination with the first quarter, we are now on target for what we projected for the year,” Edwards said. “So the good news is we’re on target but the bad news is it would be very nice if we were way above target so that we can project some additional relief on the revenue side, but I’m at least encouraged that we are on target for what we projected for the end of the year.”
Edwards also said that ideally, his office would like to see sales tax revenue come in higher than projected, but adds that what’s most important is that the county at least meets its projections.
“We all hope for and would certainly like to see in increase in our revenue cycles, particularly in our sales tax, but unfortunately we’re on a bit of a roller coaster ride for this year. We’re hopeful but we have to go forward with what we know, and that is that in the first two quarters we’re on mark for what we budgeted for 2013.”
Earlier this month the New York State Association of Counties reported that overall, second quarter sales tax revenue numbers were sluggish, with only a small percentage of growth per county, compared to last year. The association also reported that 20 counties saw negative sales tax growth in the second quarter of 2013 compared to 2012.
Next to property taxes, sales tax revenue is the second largest money maker for most counties in New York state, including Chautauqua.
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