City sales tax: first months of 2021 improved steadily

    As the year 2021 moved along, sales tax receipts by the city of Imperial steadily improved.
    Except for October 2020, January this year was the lowest city sales tax monthly income since April 2020.
    The proceeds ticked up a little in February, then took a huge jump in March, according to figures from the NE Department of Revenue.
    In all, city sales tax income for the first quarter 2021 totaled $127,318.82. The months are broken down in the accompanying chart.
    When the city receives its monthly sales tax receipts, the sales tax on vehicles is separated out and placed in the street department. The rest is then split 50/50 between the LB 840 economic development fund and the community development fund.
    Figures shown in the chart include totals before the vehicle tax is removed and put in the street fund.
    Imperial’s original monthly sales tax revenues were estimated to be $20,000 to $30,000 when Imperial’s sales tax was first imposed in 2009.
    The city’s 1% sales tax is added to the state’s 5.5% for a total of 6.5% on eligible purchases.