Craighead County, Jonesboro Sales Tax Revenues Spike

Craighead County Treasurer Terry McNatt said Friday he had to look twice when he was reviewing the county’s sales tax report for February.

“I had not seen anything like this before,” McNatt said of the nearly 16% increase in monthly sales tax revenues received. “I had braced for a dip.”

The county’s one-cent sales tax – based on revenues collected in December – brought in $1,902,017.40. The number was nearly $430,000, or a 4% increase, more than what was reported in January. It was also the highest increase reported since a 27.43% increase in April 2013.

According to numbers provided Friday, the county has seen increases in 11 of the past 12 months and 17 out of the past 22 months.

McNatt said county officials are measured on their approach to the numbers.

“It is good news. I just hope it continues on,” McNatt said.

The positive numbers were also reflected in the city of Jonesboro’s sales tax collections.

The city’s one-cent sales tax had a 10.8% increase in February, bringing in nearly $3.1 million.

The amount was $720,000 more than what was collected in January and nearly $290,000 more compared to January 2014.

On Friday, Jonesboro Mayor Harold Perrin said the city has benefited from growth in the past several years.

Perrin told a local chamber gathering that nearly 125,000 people are in Jonesboro on the weekends, with people buying goods and services.

Perrin also said the city has seen an influx of requests for commercial and residential permits. The city processed nearly $125 million worth of permits last year, with most involving new construction.

There were 330 residential and 107 commercial new construction permits granted in the city in 2014. Perrin told the group that the city could see another jump in sales tax numbers later this year.

The city is hosting the Cal Ripken World Series Aug. 6 at several sites around town.

Perrin said the event should bring thousands of baseball fans from around the country to Jonesboro, with people spending money by “going to our restaurants and staying in our hotels.”

About six weeks later, there may be a few other opportunities.

The Arkansas State football team will be hosting Missouri Sept. 12 at a refurbished Centennial Bank Stadium after starting the season a week earlier with a game in Los Angeles against USC.

The Missouri game is followed by another home game versus Missouri State on Sept. 19.