Valley’s cities see rise in sales tax receipts

RIO GRANDE VALLEY – Cities across the Rio Grande Valley will receive a sales tax windfall, reflecting strong consumer and business spending during July.

The blockbuster payments include a $5 million allocation for McAllen thanks to strong consumer spending and a construction boom, according to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. McAllen’s allocation grew nearly 25 percent compared to September 2011.

The eye-popping increase, though, comes with several caveats. It includes a $278,000 audit payment and more than $227,000 in past- and future-period collections.

Across Texas, the September payment to cities was 13.2 percent higher than 2011, according to the Comptroller. The Valley’s largest cities fared better than most:

• Edinburg will receive $1.3 million, nearly 16 percent more than September 2011.
• Pharr will receive $1.1 million, nearly 18 percent more than September 2011.
• Mission will receive $1.2 million, about 19 percent more than September 2011.
• Mercedes, home to Rio Grande Valley Premium Outlets, will receive $624,000, about 21 percent more than September 2011.
• Harlingen will receive nearly $1.6 million, 16 percent more than September 2011. The new Bass Pro Shops has pushed the city’s sales tax receipts higher this year.
• Brownsville will receive about $2.9 million, nearly 17 percent more than September 2011.

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