Springfield’s sales taxes tumble

Springfield’s latest sales tax check from the Missouri Department of Revenue is down from the prior year.

The May check of $3 million represented an 11.6% decrease from the $3.4 million issued in the same month of 2018, according to a news release.

Still, the city’s fiscal 2019 tax collections are up 2% through May to $42.3 million from $41.4 million during the same 10-month period in fiscal 2018. The city’s fiscal year ends June 30.

Fiscal year-to-date collections through May also are higher than city officials expected, by a 2.1% margin. City officials projected $41.4 million in sales tax revenue through May, according to the release.

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

Springfield uses sales tax revenue from the Department of Revenue to fund the Police and Fire departments and other public services. Roughly 56% of the city’s general fund comes from sales and use taxes, according to the release.