High sales tax totals continue

The Town of La Conner reported $33,430 in sales tax revenue in March, 8% above 2020’s total. It is the highest March amount ever reported. First quarter revenues are over 40% of the year’s projected sales tax income. They are 26% higher than 2018, the previous best first quarter. The March figure is based on January collections from in-town stores and online purchases delivered to La Conner addresses.

The fire truck sales tax revenue tracks sales tax and is also the highest first quarter ever and 43.4% of the projected annual total. Alas, the hotel/motel tax receipts for the month and year to date badly lag the last three years, partly a result of the Country Inn, the town’s second biggest lodging facility, only opening March 5 after being closed since mid-November. This tax’s revenues funds promoting town activities to out of region tourists.

It has been 13 months since local, state and federal political leaders responded to the coronavirus pandemic with stay at home orders.

The Town has a calendar fiscal year.