Sales tax revenue up almost 6% in four Northwest Arkansas cities

Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers and Springdale cumulatively reported revenue of $9.914 million, a gain of $551,000, or 5.89%, in their September sales tax reports. It was the first reporting month this calendar year that each city had revenue growth from a year ago.

Through the first nine months of the year, the cumulative revenue for the four cities totals $84.565 million, up 0.02%. The September report is the result of consumers spending on goods and services in July.

Bentonville reported the best results for the month with revenue of $2.535 million, up 10.7% from a year ago. It was also the first positive growth for the city since the January report. Year-to-date the city reports revenue of $19.241 million, down 11% or more than $2.376 million compared to a year ago. Despite the decrease, Bentonville Mayor Stephanie Orman said the city is in strong fiscal shape as growth continues and infrastructure works to catch up.

Rogers also reported growth of 6.91% in the September report with revenue totaling $2.625 million. While the city has managed to see positive growth in seven of the nine months, the rate of growth has slowed from last year when the city averaged 8.08% for the year and 12.97% in all of 2022. Through September the city reports revenue of $23.036 million, up 7.64% from a year ago, City officials budgeted for $28.1 million in annual sales tax revenue and is within $5.063 million of the goal with three months of reports remaining.

Springdale reported revenue of $2.162 million in the month, up 5.33% from a year ago. The city has seen positive results each month, except for a 6.34% decline reported in March. Through September, Springdale reports sales tax revenue of $18.474 million, up 3.55% from a year ago.

Fayetteville had sales tax revenue of $2.591 million in the September report, up 1.08% from a year ago. Like the other cities, growth has slowed from rates attained in 2023. Fayetteville had the highest sales tax revenue among the cities in the region last year at $31.762 million. Through September revenue totals $23.813 million, up 0.53% from a year ago.

REGIONAL SALES TAX (January-September reports)
Bentonville
2024: $19.241 million
2023: $21.617 million
down 11%

Fayetteville
2024: $23.813 million
2023: $23.686 million
up 0.53%

Rogers
2024: $23.036 million
2023: $21.399 million
up 7.64%

Springdale
2024: $18.474 million
2023: $17.84 million
up 3.55%