Fourth quarter ‘21 sales tax dollars outpace 2020 totals

    By nearly $9,000, the city of Imperial’s 2021 fourth quarter sales tax revenues outdid the same quarter in 2020.
    COVID-19 may have had something to do with that, however it could be argued that more people stayed home in late 2020 and were spending more in Imperial.
    Whatever the reason, the fourth quarter receipts for October, November and December of last year totaled $135,355.67, according to the Nebraska Department of Revenue’s report to the city.
    The fourth quarter was the second lowest quarter of 2021, however. The third quarter proved the best overall with $144,229.92 in total receipts.
    For the entire year 2021, Imperial’s sales tax receipts totaled nearly 548,000.
    Looking at the individual fourth quarter months, October was the highest at $48,997.91, followed by December’s $48,092.67 and November at $38,265.09.
    When the city receives its monthly receipts, the sales tax on vehicles is separated and placed in the street department.
    The rest is split 50/50 between the LB 840 economic development fund and the community development fund. The Imperial city council has final say for earmarking funds from both accounts.
    The city’s 1% sales tax is added to the state’s 5.5% for a total of 6.5% on eligible purchases.