City pulls in record July general tax collections

The city of Springfield received a 1 percent general sales tax check from the Missouri Department of Revenue this month for $4.5 million, a record high for July.

The latest check bests July 2013 by 26.6 percent; the check in the same month last year was $3.6 million, according to a news release.

The July check brings the city's fiscal year-to-date revenues from the state to $36.5 million, down 4.3 percent overall compared to $39.1 million in the same period last year.

The July check from the Department of Revenue represents sales processed by the state in June from transactions made largely in April and May. Because there is a 60-day processing period by the state, the July check represents the 11th month of the city's fiscal year for financial reporting purposes. City Finance Director Mary Mannix Decker said she's "cautiously optimistic" the city will end its fiscal year reporting on budget. Current year-to-date revenues are 1.2 percent above budget, according to the release.