After four years of economic growth, the amount of money spent on taxable goods in Emporia has declined for the second straight year.
Sales tax collections have slumped back to 2004 levels, said Janet Harrouff, city of Emporia treasurer.
“We are just $23 higher than we were in 2004,” she said.
The city received its October sales tax money this week. The October figures are recorded as December sales tax numbers because there’s a two-month lag in receiving tax information.
A total of $326,491 was collected from a half-cent sales tax in October. That number is up about $4,500 from September collection totals. However, a year ago $354,156 was collected in October.
The money goes to the city general fund, the Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas for economic development and to pay off money borrowed to build the Jones Aquatic Center.
Overall the city has collected $3.87 million this year compared to $3.97 million in 2009. The overall collection is down 2.5 percent.
In putting the 2010 budget together last year, the city guessed the total sales tax would be $3.95 million.
In putting the 2011 budget together this year, the city assumed the total would be down 5 percent. Since it is only down 2.5 percent, the city has a little more money to work with in 2011.
doubt_it (anonymous) says...
Look out...........it says the city has a little more money to work with.........hmmmm, what will they think of to do with that money???
December 30, 2010 at 5:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
Blow it or give the city manager a raise
December 30, 2010 at 6:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Considering the medium wage in our area is about the same as what we are short in sales tax revenues and it is comparable to the year 2004 revenue, it is great that this story is trying to put a positive spin on it.
HEY WE ALMOST MADE AS MUCH AS WE DID IN 2004 !
Woo HOO !
December 30, 2010 at 10:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Our legislators in Topeka are going to have a rough time with the state budget. i look to the state keeping the liquor tax paid by clubs instead of giving it back to the cities.
That is a good chunk of money for parks, and alcohol abuse programs Emporia may not get. Will these programs be dropped or funded by another property tax mill levy increase? Something for the candidates to ponder.
December 31, 2010 at 8:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Jersey (anonymous) says...
"That is a good chunk of money for parks, and alcohol abuse programs Emporia may not get."
Not trying to be TOO insensitive, but in these troubled economic times, I would rather pay to keep up the parks for the children than to fund drug abuse programs.
December 31, 2010 at 9:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
b3bill (anonymous) says...
So.....who didn't Shop Emporia First? It's all your fault!! lol
December 31, 2010 at 9:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
No one has money to spend so our leaders raise taxes. That sure makes alot of sense LOL
December 31, 2010 at 11:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
Wait until they raise gas prices again and see what happens to it.
January 1, 2011 at 2:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
From the Dunning Report in October:
Crude makes up over 50% of its cost, followed by taxes, refining, then distribution and marketing. And there’s also the age-old arbitrator, supply and demand, which is based entirely on the whims of the American driving public. Another factor—and one that has been challenged recently—is speculators, thought to have been responsible for the last big increase. One source reports that for every gallon the average barrel of crude goes up, gas will follow for around 2.4 cents.
Now we know why. The most recent I heard is that it was going up to $5 a gallon. As neighbor said on another thread, when that happens, every other living expense takes a back seat so Mr. and Ms Consumer can get back and forth to work.
And when that happens, sales tax collections will be very low indeed because except for the gas pumps and darn few groceries, we will not be spending. Has the city been putting away for a rainy day?
Rice and beans when eaten together = protein.
January 1, 2011 at 6:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Rice and beans when eaten together = protein.
It can also produce "gas" . ;>)
January 1, 2011 at 7:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Not if the beans are prepared properly or if your system is in good working order. :)
Wanna know the trick to preparing beans so they don't backfire?
Cover dry beans with water plus two inches more. Bring to rolling boil then shut off the fire. Cover and let sit for one hour. Then POUR BEANS INTO COLANDER, DRAIN AND RINSE. Put beans back into pot and add NEW WATER and cook until done. Then you can add those beans to whatever recipe you're using. Of course, your hamhocks and onions and spices have been simmering away in another pot. Personally, I prefer roasted pork to add to my beans -- black beans. Serve over white rice. Pass the lime wedges.
January 1, 2011 at 7:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ToxicPink (anonymous) says...
This is so off topic...
Create, I heard you can boil them with a piece of potato as well. Do you know any truth to that.
January 1, 2011 at 8:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
ToxicPink, No, haven't heard that one. Might have to try that sometime.
Yes, it is off topic, as we often do. But it does relate to declining sales tax collections when people have fewer dollars to spend on purchases and groceries, hence eating beans.
I knew I could go around the back door on that one somehow. LOL
January 1, 2011 at 8:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
Supply and demand isn't exactly supposed to happen the way oil and gas producers make it work. Demand is way down following the end of the summer season, yet prices have went up. Traditionally, lower demand equals a lower price to encourage sales. Oil companies are raising the price at the pump to keep profits at summertime levels, not because demand by consumers is up. I didn't notice the sometimes large pre-holiday spikes in prices this year, a typical tactic they use to increase their already enormous profits. I also didn't hear them use the twice a year commonly used excuse that they were "switching from summer blend to winter blend" then back to summer blend. Still waiting on the excuse that increased use of fuel oil in New Jersey is reason for huge pump prices in Kansas.
They make billions a year on oil because they can charge whatever they want, they really don't have any competition right now.
A large part of what makes America great is we are a mobile society. Let's hope they wise up and realize the world economy is based largely on the American economy. The world economy needs American citizens to be able to afford to buy extras and to spend money. When I and other consumers have to pay $700-$800 a month on fuel just to get to work and back and for bare necessity travels( no out of town trips nor casual Sunday drives etc ), I spend alot less at retail outlets, skip vacations, and eat at home to help pay the huge hit to the budget high gas prices make.
Pssssssssst politicians, get the lobbists out of your back pocket and prevent this from happening!
January 1, 2011 at 9:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
The $ going down also will impact our price of oil,I hope our new congress cuts spending, and soon.Im sure many of us could be changing our diets W/O a change of attitude in our local, state, and washington gov.
January 1, 2011 at 10:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
The following is only two of the reasons oil and fuel prices are high and about to go higher and these are just two Ceo's of oil companies and this does not count all of the other oil company Ceo's or their " Staff " or the thousands of stockholders who are demanding more and more profits for their investments ??
Ray Irani: $31.4 million
Company: Occidental Petroleum
Cash compensation: $6.6 million
Stock and options: $24.8 million
James Hackett: $23.5 million
Company: Anadarko Petroleum
Cash compensation: $6.1 million
Stock and options: $17.4 million
And the same holds true for all other Giant, Greedy, Profit oriented Companys, CEO'S and Stockholders of these companies, such as Walmart, Microsoft, Oracle, Hewlett Packard, IBM, Cisco, GM, FORD , CHRYSLER, etc., etc., etc., and yet these companies also depend, no, DEMAND that the taxpayers bail them out when their CEO's, Stockholders put these companies on the verge of bankruptcy and collapse, because of their EXORBITANT, GREEDY, UNDESERVED, demands for MONETARY compisation, which, at best, is not deserved . Most of these CEO's and Stockholders are compensated, above and beyond what they deserve or need !!
Thus the ever increasing price of goods, services, etc., etc., and the continued loss of jobs and the lowering of worker wages .
Take a look at the following web site and then see if your blood pressure raises just a little, after you realize that this is the cause of the rise in the costs of just about everything !!
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2010/n...
January 1, 2011 at 10:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
just to get further off topic, any news about bb?
January 1, 2011 at 10:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
oh and the reason gas is going up is because china is getting richer and more people are buying cars. same for india. also iran qurdupled their price in 3 days. it went up to 21 cents a gallon. oh the humanity......
January 1, 2011 at 10:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
scarlett01_98
Talked to bb's brother last night.
Things don't look so good, but we are hoping for the best. He is real sick. Chris Walker gave me the copy of the latest blogger cartoon and bb's brother is taking it up to him today.
January 1, 2011 at 11:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
I heard he was sick, Maybe I missed what was wrong with BB
January 1, 2011 at 3:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
http://www.forbes.com/lists/2006/12/A...
Go to the above site and choose any industry you wish and you will see the amount a companys top executive is paid, which directly correlates to the prices of the products the company produces as does the demand for compensation by the stockholders !!
And you may recognize some or a significant number of these companys were bailed out by taxpayer money during the great " Company Bailout Scam, Sham, Fiasco " !!
January 1, 2011 at 4:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
If you go to the previously listed site and look at the " Health care equipment & services ", " Insurance " or just about any Industry/company ececutive pay and it does not make your blood boil, then you are far more well off or tollerant, than most of us.
January 1, 2011 at 4:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
booker,
bb was diagnosed with lung cancer not long ago, but right now he is in the hospital with pneumonia.
May he get better and be back to his keyboard soon.
January 1, 2011 at 4:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
b3bill (anonymous) says...
First, my thoughts and prayers go out for bb.
Second, I seriously doubt the city has been saving for any kind of economic "rainy day", unfortunately. I haven't seen too much demonstrated by the city for quite some time to show much responsibility in spending. It's just too easy to raise taxes instead.
January 1, 2011 at 5:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
I refuse to shop Emporia first at every turn possible with few exceptions. Our tax rates our way too high as it is. Buy out of town, buy in bulk. When we actually see a tax break around E town I will again patronize.
January 1, 2011 at 7:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
barefooting (anonymous) says...
Hope BB will be okay.
January 1, 2011 at 7:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gogreen (anonymous) says...
Oh, the city has a little bit of money...but they choose to blow it on stupid crap like entrance stones...
January 1, 2011 at 10:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Wichitawings (anonymous) says...
Jersey, I did shop Emporia first, problem was they didn't have it or the stores downtown were closed, so had to go online and out of town to get it. Oh by the way, sales tax in Augusta is a lot cheaper and they have a nicer water park/pool than we do.
January 2, 2011 at 10:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Wichitawings (anonymous) says...
OH sorry that was for b3bill
January 2, 2011 at 10:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
barefooting (anonymous) says...
Neighbor spending 700/month on gas sounds excessive to me How far do you drive to work? Are you being paid enough that your gas expense makes it worth living far from work? I put alot of work related mileage on my car each month without spending the amount you claim to.
January 2, 2011 at 4:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
Are you implying that selling my land and home to move closer to my work is what I should do to adjust to higher fuel prices? FYI, I pay for four vehicles, that have four different schedules and four different places to go. Do you still want to compare bills?
January 2, 2011 at 5:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
barefooting (anonymous) says...
Dont complain so loudly when its your choice to live far from work, own 4 vehicles ect.
January 2, 2011 at 8:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
b3bill (anonymous) says...
Wichitawings,
Perhaps my post above on 12/31 @ 9:58 a.m. wasn't as clear as it should have been. I was jesting about shopping Emporia first, and that the lack of it being the cause for the lower sales tax collection. I should have been more clear than to just put "lol" at the end.
I'm waiting for the day when more places here locally will figure out that if they are competitive with similar places out of town and online, that they'll likely get more business. They have to compete, like it or not. That's the world we live in now where there are many options to purchase almost everything. Having a high sales tax rate doesn't help promote buying here. There is nothing stopping local business owners from continually complaining to the City and County officials about it if they see it is hurting their bottom line.
It's not 1971 anymore, and it's time for local businesses that want to grow to realize it is now 2011. You have to be competitive with out of town businesses plus online businesses. A well-maintained website that allows 24/7 shopping with competitive pricing is an expectation by an increasing number of consumers. In almost all cases, if a business complains about losing customers/sales to out of town or online businesses, yet doesn't see the need for showcasing their store's presence online 24/7 with competitive pricing, all I can say to them is good luck, you'll need it.
A real help to the tax collection rates would be to get more jobs here in Emporia. The RDA now has the next 13 years or so guaranteed for receiving sales tax money. Hill's pet food plant is now in business. It is time for the RDA to quit talking like they're fully consumed with getting Hills here and set up for business. The RDA needs to work extremely hard to get more businesses and jobs here ASAP and everyone needs to keep pressuring them to do so.
Any excuses from the RDA about not getting new businesses/jobs here need to be thoroughly questioned, especially when businesses locate to other Kansas towns.
January 2, 2011 at 10:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
Yep the comment I suspected I'd get. I wonder who will provide the food when all the farmers and ranchers move to town rather than paying so much for fuel, and fertilizer.
January 3, 2011 at 1:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
paulkersey (anonymous) says...
Maybe the people in charge shouldn't allocate what little money we do have for a place where turnpike travelers can let their dog take a dump. How much is currently allocated to that? What, $15k/yr for the next three years? Is that correct?
Matt
It's a great day in the Laghman Province!
January 3, 2011 at 2:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
How many of you on this particular
" Tax " thread believe that $41,000 dollars worth of City Entrance Rocks & Landscaping will actually improve the Jobs, Business and amount of sales tax monies collected, or for that matter be of any benefit to anyone in Emporia or Lyon County ??
How many of you on these forums believe that a Country, State, County or City whose government/leaders spend wisely, instead of needlesly or wantonly and allow their citizens keep more of their income as disposable income does and will make a bigger impression on those who are looking to locate or shop somewhere they can prosper and keep more of their money for their own use and survival ?
A vote of " Yay " or " Nay ", will sufficie .
Here is an example of " unregulated, unfettered, arrogant, uncontrolled " spending by our government leaders and this holds true for all forms of gov' t. not just Federal but State, County and Local as well !!
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/28/us/...
January 3, 2011 at 7:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mslater (Matt Slater) says...
I also think some people need to log out when they are using my computer...
Matt
January 3, 2011 at 8:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )