Town sales tax revenue rises

Bounce back. The $42,671 reported in sales tax revenue to the La Conner Town Council in April by the state’s Department of Revenue is the second highest ever for the month, behind 2022’s record $44,210. It topped March by $8,741. These are February sales: the state Department of Revenue reports on a two-month lag.

Hotel/motel April tax collection was $10,165, 4% behind 2023’s record total but significantly higher, by 48%, than March’s report. Similarly, the $4,255 in special-use fire tax revenue was $141 below the record 2022 collection.

Revenues from the three wastewater operation funds total $248,067, down $19,064 from last April. The water fund, at $106,350, is up $39,962 from last April. For the year, it’s meeting income projections. On the expense side, only the storm drainage fund is meeting budget projections, but higher expenses may be allocated later in 2024.

Property tax collection was $61,738. The May collection can be in the $100,000 range. More collection data are needed to state a trend. The real estate excise tax revenue, at $46,887, is 10 times the March total,.

Department of Revenue data are from February. Sales tax totals are based on collections from town businesses and online purchases delivered to La Conner addresses.

La Conner has a calendar fiscal year.