The slight dip, to $57,164, in the Town of La Conner’s November sales tax revenue was the first sizeable year-to-year drop in collections since the first summer of the coronavirus pandemic, in 2020. That is $3,7467, 6.2% below 2021. Still, the $631,012 collected in 2022 is almost $140,000 above the year’s budget projections and exceeds 2021’s year total.

Elsewhere, revenues are solid gold, moving to platinum by year’s end. The $21,228 in hotel/motel tax revenues is the highest November report ever, 5.2% over 2021. Revenue is almost $50,000 above budget estimate. This is the ninth month collections exceeded 2021 totals.

The $4,149 collected in REET (Real Estate Excise Tax) revenue more than doubles the 2022 revenue estimate, totaling $81,860 versus the $40,000 projected for the year.

La Conner’s total revenues are at 109% of projections, with a month to go. Almost every fund category is above 100%, including public works. Total expenses stand at 78%. Barring huge end of the year expenditures, the Town will finish over $1 million in the black. It had projected a deficit budget for 2022.

No firetruck bond report was provided.

These totals are based on September collections from town businesses and online purchases delivered to La Conner addresses and reported to town council.

La Conner has a calendar fiscal year.