Northwest Arkansas sales tax revenue up almost 13% in September reports

The four largest cities in Northwest Arkansas again saw big gains in sales tax revenue. The September report totaled $8.859 million, up 12.74% from a year ago and the best September report on record.

The cumulative revenue reported this calendar year through September totals $76.73 million, up 14.05% from the $67.274 million reported through September of last year.

Springdale reported the biggest gains with revenue of $2.050 million, up 19.96% from a year ago. It also marked the fourth month this year that the city’s tax revenue totaled $2 million or more. Springdale Mayor Doug Sprouse said the city continues to see its population grow and believes the next official Census count will show the city has 90,000 or more residents. Sprouse said while the sales tax growth is buoyed higher because of inflation, he is delighted to see the city revenue growth outpacing the corresponding CPI numbers.

“We are expected to budget for about 8% growth next year, and while that looks conservative, we do expect revenue growth to slow into 2023. I also believe the people in Springdale and from around the area are starting to see the retail we can offer,” Sprouse said.

Sales tax revenue through September totals $16.899 million, up 19% year over year. For the full year of 2021, Springdale posted sales tax revenue gains of 11.92% and 8.31% in 2020.

Bentonville reported sales tax revenue of $2.061 million, up 14.12%. Through September, Bentonville’s sales tax revenue totals $17.931 million, up 13.73% from a year ago. While the city’s sales tax revenue growth has been stellar this year, it will be hard to beat the record 28.22% annual gains reported in 2021.

Mayor Stephanie Orman said the city’s biggest concern is the unprecedented inflation that continues to drive up the cost of providing city services to a growing population.

Rogers also saw strong revenue gains in the September report, with sales tax collections of more than $2.307 million, up 13.17% from a year ago. Mayor Greg Hines has said rising inflation is partly to credit for the strong growth, but overall the retail district is also having a very good year. Through September, Rogers has collected more than $18.985 million in sales tax revenue after rebates totaling $845,783. At this time last year, the city had revenue totaling $17.469 million. Year-over-year, the city’s revenue growth totals $1.511 million, or 8.64%.

Fayetteville reported revenue growth of 5.92% and sales tax collections totaling almost $2.44 million. Fayetteville has collected a total of $21.912 million in sales tax revenue through the September report, up 10.18% compared with the same period in 2021.