County sales tax revenues for Oct. well below last year

Despite a rally in September collections, sales tax revenues are again down, Saline County Commissioners reported at their meeting Thursday morning, Oct. 8.

October collections totaled $76,207.77, compared to $109,377.77 last month and $89,039.88 in October 2008. Revenues are down by about $45,000 for the year.

The separate taxes for law enforcement and courthouse renovations are also down, at $57,135.43 and $39,365.97, respectively. Last month, law enforcement collections totaled $82,023.60, and the courthouse tax collected $56,862.20.

In this year's budget, Saline County Auditor Tara Vogelsmeier projected total general sales tax revenues at $943,488, and Presiding Commissioner Becky Plattner still thinks that amount is achievable.

"We're not that far off our estimated budget," she said.

Commissioners said this month's lower collections will not immediately impact county employees; rather, this just increases budget awareness.

"We will be having meetings with the officeholders to just talk about where we are with the money," Plattner said.

In other business, commissioners approved a wage increase from $9 to $9.50 per hour for Nina Foster, who has worked one year at the county assessor's office.

Northern District Commissioner Norvelle "Brownie" Brown was also present at the meeting.

Commissioners will meet again Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 9 a.m. in the lower level of the courthouse.

Contact Sydney Stonner at marshallbusiness@socket.net