From Staff Reports
The sales tax red ink turned a slight shade redder this month.
Based on October’s taxable retail sales in the city, the State Comptroller’s Office sent the City of Mineral Wells a December check totaling $258,783.80 from its 1.5-cent sales tax levy. October’s sales were reported to and collected by the state in November.
That check represented a 31.46 percent decrease from its December 2008 check, and dropped the city’s 12-month allocations for the year to 25.63 percent below 2008’s receipts.
The news wasn’t much better in other area towns with a sales tax. The biggest drop in December collections was seen in Strawn, which realized a 41 percent drop in sales taxes. Millsap’s December check fell 23 percent short of its December 2008 receipts.
The lone area exception continues to be Gordon. It’s October taxable retail sales produced a check for the town that reflected a 41 percent increase, while for the year Gordon’s sales tax collections are 12 percent ahead of last year’s pace.
Texas Comptroller Susan Combs said the state collected $1.70 billion in sales taxes in November, down 14.4 percent compared to November 2008.
“Sales tax collections, declining since February 2009, continued to be weak in November,” Combs said. “Compared to a year ago, sales tax collections were down across all major sectors of the Texas economy, including oil and natural gas production, construction, manufacturing and retail trade.”
The comptroller sent cities, counties, special purpose districts and transit systems $417.1 million in December sales tax allocations, down 14.6 percent compared to last December. The final sales tax allocation of 2009 brings local sales tax revenue for the year to $5.6 billion, 5.1 percent less than in 2008.
Combs sent Texas cities December sales tax allocations of $279.6 million, down 14.9 percent compared to December 2008. Counties’ December sales tax allocations totaled $24.6 million, down 20.2 percent compared to December 2008.
Local News
Retail sales continue to slump
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1950s Sock Hop event to benefit Salvation Army
The community is invited to take a trip back to the 1950s as a unique way to raise money for the Salvation Army.
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Council to meet in Tuesday session
The Mineral Wells City Council is scheduled to meet in regular session at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the City Hall Annex, 115 S.W. 1st St.
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Ware to speak at Heritage Association
RJ Ware will be the guest speaker at Thursday’s meeting of the Mineral Wells Heritage Association.
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Currency buyers event coming to town
Mineral Wells is the next stop on the list for the International Coin Collectors Association’s world tour. During this event at the Best Western Club House Hotel Inn and Suites, 4410 U.S. Highway 180 East, the ICCA will be purchasing coins, paper currency, gold and silver on behalf of their global network of collectors, dealers and refineries.
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PET OF THE WEEK: Catahoula mix looking for a new place to call home
“Capt. Jack” is a short hair, mixed-breed dog – mostly Catahoula leopard – with an intriguing red merle-patterned coat. This approximately 2-year-old, 55-pound male also has one blue eye and one brown eye. He will need to be fixed as part of his adoption.
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Rising Stars to host Gibson exhibit, event
Rising Stars Art Gallery is hosting an evening of food, fun, music and – of course, art – on Friday, Feb. 10, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
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MWHS theater group to host art exhibit, auction
Mineral Wells Ram Theatre is hosting an art exhibit and auction on Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Mineral Wells Women’s Club building in downtown Mineral Wells.
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Police Beat: Thefts, burglaries reported
According to Mineral Wells police reports, there were a number of property crimes reported over the past few days.
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Thursday Blotter
The following people were processed through the Palo Pinto County Jail.
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Driver killed in rollover wreck
The driver of a vehicle involved in a rollover crash just south of Mineral Wells Tuesday night died at the scene, according to authorities.
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1950s Sock Hop event to benefit Salvation Army






