Town's sales tax revenues are good enough

Just like last year. The $60,800 in August sales tax revenue reported to the Town of La Conner by the state’s Department of Revenue is $20 below 2023’s collection. The eight month total is 67% of the budget’s projections, on target, with the next two months the highest grossing every year.

The $6,070 collected for the special use fire tax tops 2023 by six dollars. It will exceed its revenue estimate, standing at 81% with four months remaining.

More visitors are staying over. The $22,440 hotel motel tax total is an August record, 13% above last year’s previous high. That fund, too, most likely will exceed its annual forecast.

Property and REET (Real Estate Excise Taxes) taxes need fall payments to get a full perspective. The $1,530 for the former is below annual projections while the $3,105 total for REET puts that budget at 114% of its forecast total.

The largest revenue producers, the four water and wastewater funds, totaled $228,218 in August, led by $136,725 in water collections. The bulk of other income came from compost fees and sales, $115,389.

Overall, revenues are at 55% at the two-thirds year mark. Expenditures stand at 40%. Unless there are large street project expenses coming, the budget will again end in the black.

The sales tax totals are based on June collection from town stores and online purchases delivered to La Conner addresses and reported to town council from the Department of ­Revenue.

La Conner has a calendar fiscal year.