Northwest Arkansas sales tax revenue up 2% in April report

Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers and Springdale reported cumulative sales tax revenue of $5.873 million, up 2% from the year-ago period, according to the April report from the cities. The report reflects taxes on purchases made in February.

Bentonville posted the highest revenue gains from sales tax generated in February. The city reported sales tax revenue of $1.372 million, up 22.55% from the same period last year. Through the first four reporting months of 2021 – which represents sales in November, December, January and February– Bentonville’s sales tax revenue totaled $6.854 million, up from $5.192 million over the same period in 2020.

Mayor Stephanie Orman said the city estimates its population has grown nearly 4% since 2019 to 54,819 as of the first quarter of 2021. She said nearly 2,000 people moved into the city last year. Orman also said she was pleased to see sales tax growth last year and in early 2021.

“This increase was impressive given the economic climate around the pandemic, but we think it shows our continuing population growth and the resiliency of our local workforce and economy,” Orman said.

Rogers’ February sales tax reported in April was $1.496 million, down 3.8% from the same period last year. Mayor Greg Hines said the city remains in sound financial shape even as the hospitality industry struggles. He is excited to see the Walmart AMP schedule shows for late summer and early fall as the entertainment venue was shuttered all of last year amid the pandemic. The AMP is holding a job fair April 24 as it prepares for the coming season. The first concert of the season is scheduled for June 17 with the BackStreet Boys, and Chicago performing on June 25. There are two shows on the docket for July and August has five shows scheduled.

Hines said he expects there to be ups and downs with tax revenue through the first half of this year, but the city has budgeted conservatively and sees plenty of upside. Through the last four months reports (which includes tax generated in November, December, January and February), Rogers sales tax revenue totals $7.212 million, up 2.5% from a year ago.

Fayetteville’s February tax revenue totaled $1.806 million, up 1.45% from the year-ago period. The city’s sales tax revenue gains retreated from the 10.82% jump reported in March. Through the April report, Fayetteville’s sales tax revenue totals $8.252 million, up 6.3% compared with the same time last year.

Springdale reported a 7.61% drop in sales tax revenue. The sales tax revenue generated in February totaled $1.198 million, compared with $1.296 million a year ago. At $5.669 million through April, revenue is up 6.84% from the same period last year.