Springfield sales tax collections fall short of projection

The Missouri Department of Revenue issued Springfield a $3.6 million check this month for its 1 percent sales tax.

City officials budgeted to receive $3.7 million in April. Though roughly 3 percent lower than estimated, collections beat the April 2015 check of $3.4 million, according to a news release.

For the city’s fiscal year than began July 1, collections totaled $37.4 million through April. That’s up 5 percent from budget and 4 percent from actual collections a year earlier, according to the release.

The April check reflects sales processed by the state in March from transactions made mostly in February.

Sales tax revenue is the main provider of revenue for such vital services as the Police and Fire departments. Roughly 60 percent of the city’s general fund revenue comes from sales and use taxes, according to the release.