La Conner's tax revenue is recovering

Total turn around. The $68,591 reported in sales tax revenues to the La Conner Town Council in September by the state’s Department of Revenue is the highest ever for the month, $5,315 above last year’s, and the second highest total in 2024. After below normal collection totals four of the first five months this year, sales taxes the last three months total $203,359, 42.7% of the year’s total and putting the town on course to meet this projected income for the year.

Likewise, the $6,798 firetruck sales tax receipts are a record for the month and also its second highest collection this year.

The $25,422 reported for the hotel motel tax revenues is the year’s highest monthly total, but not a record.

The $13,600 in REET (real estate excise tax) revenue increases the fund to 133% of its annual budget. The total for the year will likely set a record.

The $946 collected in property tax is low, even for a summer month. The total to date is 54.6% of the year, but October and November collections total a sizable fraction of the year’s budget.

Collection from water usage last month was $166,990, the year’s highest by $30,265. The three wastewater funds brought in $283,918, also the year’s highest, though the $109,752 in compost sales was almost $6,000 less than August’s totals.

These four funds account for 84% of La Conner’s 2024 revenue, with the $1 million to date in water collections 26.2%, and the $1.9 million in the three wastewater funds, 40%.

While total town revenues are at 63% of the amount budgeted, expenses to date are 45% of projections. If there are not large fourth quarter public works expenditures, it is likely that the town will again have a budget surplus.

Retail tax totals are based on July collection from town stores and online purchases delivered to La Conner addresses.

La Conner has a calendar fiscal year.