Montgomery County sales tax revenues spike

MONTGOMERY COUNTY – Sales tax revenue allocations in February — based on December sales — have consistently been the largest month for The Woodlands, Oak Ridge North and Shenandoah, according to the State Comptroller.

In The Woodlands, sales tax revenue is up 12.9 percent in 2013, Shenandoah is up 9.2 percent and Oak Ridge North is up 4.4 percent through November 2013 allocations.

Since 2008, when sales tax revenue collection expanded to the township’s current boundaries, The Woodlands’ sales and use tax revenue has grown to an expected $44.2 million in 2013, a 64 percent spike over the past six years.

If it were classified as a city, The Woodlands would rank as the 19th largest municipal sales tax revenue generator in Texas so far in 2013.

In Shenandoah, sales tax revenue makes up 64 percent of the general fund revenue, according to City Administrator Greg Smith. Retail growth has allowed the city — which has the lowest property tax rate in Montgomery County — to be reliant on sales tax revenue.

Of all Texas cities in 2012, Shenandoah was ranked third in sales tax revenue per capita, while the sales tax revenue rose by more than 78 percent from 2004 to 2012.

Oak Ridge North’s sales tax revenue rose more than 58 percent from 2004 to 2012. Much of the growth has been attributed to Rooms to Go — the city’s largest sales tax contributor, which opened in 2008 —as well as new retailers that opened along I-45 in 2011 and 2012.

*ranked by YTD sales tax revenue

For more cities and counties, see the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts