Parish sales tax revenues dip slightly in May

Thirteen consecutive months of growth came to an end as May tax collections were slightly lower than in May 2013, according to figures released by the St. Mary Parish Sales and Use Tax Department.
The parish collected $3,567,127 from its 4 percent sales and use tax in May, compared to $3,582,228 for May 2013, a drop of $15,098.
The May report from the Sales and Use Tax Department was released Friday showing the increases over the previous year since April 2013 stopped. With double digit increases in the first three of four months, the parish managed to see a year-to-date increase of 9 percent for the first five months compared to the same period last year, Jeffrey LaGrange, Sales and Use Tax Department director, said.
“Our economy is strong and continues to grow at great pace,” LaGrange said. Although May collections are flat, we are enjoying a 9 percent increase for the year.”
The year started with a 21.8 percent rise, followed by a 10 percent increase over the previous year for February. The parish got its third double-digit increase in April with a 15.7 percent increase compared to April 2013. The March collections were 5.1 percent more than March 2013.
LaGrange has budgeted for a 7 percent increase in tax revenue for this year over 2013.
“A 9 percent increase for the year thus far indicates that we will enjoy revenues over budgeted amounts, which should help local government in all areas,” he said.
Since the first quarter of 2012, the parish tax collections have increased quarterly eight out of nine times with monthly increases occurring 25 out of 29 times, according to an analysis provided by LaGrange. The last quarter to experience a drop was the first quarter of last year when collections were down in January and March.
The 4 percent tax collections from the hotel occupancy in May fell about 6 percent from May, 2013 which mirrors the 6 percent decrease through the first five months of the year, LaGrange said.
The Cajun Coast Visitors and Convention Bureau is supported by the hotel taxes but executive director Carrie Stansbury is not concerned that the sagging tax revenues through the first five months will negatively impact the bureau.
“We budget conservatively, so we will be all right,” Stansbury said.
Stansbury said limited service properties such as hotels without an attached restaurant have been springing up in nearby parishes and have drawn some of the overnight guests away from St. Mary Parish. She said the bureau will be making a concerted and aggressive effort to promote events such as the July 19 Barbeque Bayou Bash, the boat races on Lake Palourde and the Shrimp and Petroleum Festival.
Morgan City received $74,260 from its 0.3 percent sales tax for roads. Through the year, the tax sent to Morgan City is $408,142, up 13 percent from the same period in 2013, LaGrange said.
Four audit collections totaled $28,763 in the May report.
The St. Mary Parish School Board has received nearly $8.2 million from the parish sales and use tax.
The tax department collected $13,866 in occupational licenses in the parish.