By Dawn Burleigh

The Orange Leader

 

Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced he will send cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts $763.8 million in local sales tax allocations for January, four percent more than in January 2019. These allocations are based on sales made in November by businesses that report tax monthly.

Of the reported total, $1,457,381.79 will be distributed throughout Orange County.

Two entities were slightly less than what was collected for the same period last year and for the total payments for year to date. West Orange and Orange County received less than one percent less. 

Rose City received 24.57 percent more for this payment in 2020 compared to the $16,430.25 received in 2019 for the same period.

The city of Orange also received a 10.59 percent increase with $405,971.94 in 2020 compared to $367,077.82 in 2019.

The city of Pinehurst also saw an increase when comparing $51,403.89 in 2019 to $56,328.57 in 2020.

Sales tax revenue is used to pay for state and local budget items like schools, roads and police and fire departments. 

Shopping locally generates sales tax, which provides police and fire protection, improves road and bridges, and improves parks and recreation facilities. In turn, these benefits improve the quality of life for residents.

Increasing sales tax, by shopping locally, can lead to a decrease in property tax while reflecting citizens supporting the community according to a presentation by the Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce.

A company scouting new locations is more likely to consider a location where residents support the community by shopping locally.