May Town tax revenues dip

Way down. The Town of La Conner May sales tax revenues of $48,073 reported to town council by the state’s Department of Revenue are the third highest May report ever, but down $21,7923, 31%, from last year and $10,214 below 2021’s total. The Special Use Fire Tax revenues drop was a twin, the $4,797 also 31%, $2,188 below 2022, though again the third highest report for the month.

Only the motel/hotel tax revenues set a record, the $12,701 $67 above 2022 total.

The revenues are from March transactions, the DOR reporting on a two month lag. There is no correlation analysis with the month’s weather, which was colder than normal.

While the summer months, through October, representing August business, are the highest revenue months, totals to date are below projections for the annual budget.

The $73,546 collected in property tax pushed the yearly total to 51.3% of the annual budget, through five months. The $8,910 of the REET tax (real estate excise tax), is at 38% for the year.

Sewer, water, wastewater and compost operations combined revenues were $313,195. Drainage and compost revenues are above budget projections while expenses in each program remain below projections.

Tax totals are based on collections from town businesses and online purchases delivered to La Conner addresses and reported to town council.

La Conner has a calendar fiscal year.