The City of Huntsville and Walker County saw declines in sales tax revenue in November compared to a year ago in 2008, while the cities of Riverside and New Waverly received increases.

In addition, Huntsville was one of six area cities receiving less sales tax revenue in November compared to 2008 with one receiving an increase, according to a sales tax comparison chart compiled by city finance director Winston Duke and his staff.

Sales tax revenue is a major contributor to Huntsville’s annual income along property taxes.

November sales tax allocations to local governments represent September sales reported to the state comptroller’s office in October by monthly tax filers.

Huntsville received $606,492 in November compared to $636,333 inn 2008, reflecting a decrease of 4.69 percent.

In October to start the City of Huntsville’s 2009-10 fiscal year, the city received $479,613 in sales tax revenue compared to $437,261, reflecting an increase of 9.69 and was the only one of the seven area cities showing an increase over the same time the previous year.

In November 2007, the city received $626,720 in tax revenue; $591,709 in 2006; $554,343 in 2005; and $538,805 in 2004.

According to the state comptroller’s allocation summary, to date in 2009 Huntsville has received $5,937,337 in sales tax revenue compared to $5,602,295 at the same time in 2008, showing an increase of 5.97 percent.

“We have been inconsistent, but we’re still fairly strong if you compare us with other cities,” Duke said. “Every time we’re on the downside, we bounce back fairly strong. That is why I say we are inconsistent in sales tax revenue. We will see if it continues through the holidays.”

Huntsville finished fiscal year 2008-09 with $6.5 million in sales tax revenue, reflecting an increase of 8.7 percent over 2007-08, when it received $6.2 million.

Duke said the city also receives a sales tax analysis report from a consulting firm and the forecast shows the city to receive an estimated $6,635,000 for 2009-10.

Walker County received $209,348.30 in November compared to $222,842.31 in 2008, reflecting a decrease of 6.05 percent.

The City of Riverside showed a 15.61 percent increase in sales tax revenue received in November of $11,905.98 compared to $10,298.39 at the same time last year.

The City of New Waverly also showed an increase of 12.32 percent in November, receiving $18,013.41 compared to $16,036.91 at the same time last year.

Other area cities receiving less tax revenue were Conroe, $2.47 million in November compared to $2.77 million in 2008, minus 10.72 percent; College Station, $1.70 million compared to $1.76 million, minus 3.60 percent; Bryan, $1.13 million compared to $1.31 million, minues 14.04 percent; Brenham, $422.002 compared to $484,582, minus 12.55 percent; and Lufkin, $1.07 million compared to $1.10 million, minus 3.11 percent.

The City of Nacogdoches saw an increase of 4.83 percent, receiving $507,285 compared to $483,933 in 2008.

In 2009 payments to date, Walker County has received $2,232,355 compared to $2,088,950 in payments to date in 2008, showing an increase of 6.86 percent.

In 2009 payments to date, Riverside has received $143,788 compared to $109,810, showing an increase of 30.94 percent.

New Waverly has received $213,405 in 2009 payments to date compared to $121,225 in 2008 payments to date, reflecting an increase of 76.03 percent.

Huntsville, New Waverly and Riverside have received a total of $6,294,531 in 2009 payments to date compared to $5,833,631 for the same time in 2008 for an increase of 7.90.

According to the state comptroller’s office, the state collected $1.52 billion in sales tax in October, down 12.8 percent compared to October 2008.

The state sent local governments $500.7 million in monthly sales tax allocations in November and they are down 8.7 percent compared to November 2008.

Texas cities were sent $342.6 million in sales tax allocations, down 8.3 percent compared to November 2008.

So far this calendar year, city sales tax allocations are down 4.2 percent compared to the same time period last year.

Texas counties received November sales tax allocations of $28.2 million, down 14.5 percent compared to one year ago.

For the calendar year-to-date, county sales tax allocations are running 3.7 percent below 2008 revenues.