City sales tax check again fails to meet expectations

April marks the third month in a row when the city of Springfield’s sales taxes were below the amount budgeted by municipal officials.

The city’s 1 percent sales tax check for April from the Missouri Department of Revenue is $3.4 million, 5 percent less than officials expected. March’s sales tax revenue was 8 percent lower than predicted, and February was 4 percent below budget, according to a news release.

Through April, overall fiscal 2017 collections are $36.5 million, or 4 percent less than budget.

Springfield relies on sales tax to provide services such as police and fire operations. Around 56 percent of the revenue in the general fund comes from sales taxes.

City Finance Director David Holtmann previously said some portions of the March shortfall in March were because of processing delays. He was unreachable for further comment by deadline this morning.