Fayette retail sales tumble 24%

Tue, 05/12/2009 - 4:42pm
By: John Munford

February figures suggest local tax collections likely to remain in slump, mirroring state’s 21% April decrease

The month of February was not kind to local governments in Fayette County that collect sales taxes for part of their annual revenues and also to fund the county’s transportation SPLOST.

Both regular local option sales tax and special purpose local option sales taxes in February were down about 24 percent compared to February of last year, local governments told The Citizen this week.

The sales tax drops reflect a decline in taxable sales by retailers across Fayette. The local governments’ pain is felt first by local retailers.

February is the latest month for which such figures are available because of a lag in reporting time at the state level, officials said.

March and April figures are likely to mirror the downward trend, since the state has seen its revenues go down as well.

Governor Sonny Perdue announced this week that net revenue collections for the month of April 2009 totaled $1.399 billion, compared to $1.761 for April 2008, a decrease of $362 million or 20.6 percent.

The state’s percentage decrease year-to-date for Fiscal Year 2009 compared to FY08 is 9.5 percent.

The LOST revenues are critical to Fayette’s city and county governments because they are income for general fund budgets. The downturn for Peachtree City was about $39,000 short of last year’s February numbers. For Fayetteville the decrease was nearly $46,000 compared to last year.

The same type of decrease was seen in February for SPLOST revenues, officials said. For Peachtree City, officials are projecting to earn $1.9 million in transportation SPLOST revenues by the end of the year as compared to the initial projections of $2.18 million, Finance Director Salvatore said. Fayetteville’s SPLOST revenue was down just less than $14,000, officials said.

The city’s LOST is projected to be short about $91,000 this year even after projections were adjusted several months ago to account for the ongoing global financial crisis.

Fayette County Finance Director Mary Holland said the county is projecting it will be short about 10 percent in its LOST revenues by year’s end, which calculates to about a $1 million loss.

The county is also projecting its SPLOST revenues will be $1.7 million short of its initial projections by the end of this fiscal year.

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Submitted by Jaxxiesgirl on Thu, 05/14/2009 - 5:49pm.

This doesn't take a genius to figure this one out. Previous articles in the newspaper stated that Fayette County Public Schools was the largest employer in the county. They recently voted on the 4.5% paycut. I'm a teacher here and guess what? I'm not spending any money I don't have to these days. Shopping around town and spending "extra" money is a thing of the past. Our rainy day is coming once that paycut hits and everyone is preparing for that day. There are also many teachers who lost their job here and you know they aren't spending money they don't have to either. The board members have also stated on more than one occasion that they do not know what budget cuts they are going to have to make in the future. Hence the reason contracts were changed so they could make a mid-year paycut if they have to. I'm saving all the money I can these days because when it comes down to a shopping spree at the Pavilion or The Avenue or having my house repossessed because my pay was cut AGAIN and I can't pay my mortgage......well I choose to have money saved and be able to pay my mortgage. I guess no one on the board thought about that when they decided to vote for the paycut.

Submitted by boo boo on Tue, 05/12/2009 - 7:48pm.

A new study from The Group "Good Jobs First" , which reveals that cash strapped states are forgoing a total of roughly $1 billion annually in Tax revenue because of a little-noticed Laws that permit retailers to keep a slice of the Sales Tax they collect for the government. In fact the study finds thirteen states Do Not cap the amount that a retailer can receive as vendor compensation for collecting sales Tax, resulting in lost Tax dollars.

Walmart gets approximately $70 million annually from those Sales Taxes Nation wide.

GoodJobs

Walmartwatch

Submitted by mysteryman on Tue, 05/12/2009 - 7:21pm.

At the new Kenwood Park, and all the empty Colt 45, and King Cobra malt liquor bottles left littering the grounds... One would think that a liquor store placed in one of the many vancant shops at the pavillion, would help boost sales and increase revenue. Might as well cater to the new jay-walking crowd. And bring back the brown paper bag to hide that quart. As you walk down the street and take that occasional swig while 5-0s not around. With that Pit Bull strapped to your arm....NYCE

Submitted by candygirl on Thu, 05/14/2009 - 11:17am.

Mysteryman did you have a rough childhood or you just became an idiot overnight? Please shine a light on that question for me and everyone else that think you are so not together. Thanks!

Submitted by mysteryman on Thu, 05/14/2009 - 8:31pm.

And watch all the marvels of society pass by, while i sip on my Margarita.....No need to shine a light, just open your eyes to whats going on around you. And let me know what ya see...Sorry if reality is to hard for ya to handle, just kickin the straight facts hard as concrete and cold as a cadaver..The street is just waitin for a sucker to come up soft when the real shiiii goes down. Stay strap boo..HOLLA...

S. Lindsey's picture
Submitted by S. Lindsey on Thu, 05/14/2009 - 9:06pm.

6 oz rita mix
2 oz Orange Juice
1 oz Agava Juice
1 oz "KEY" lime juice
1 tsp Simple Sugar
3 oz Curevo Gold

Take a Key lime rim the glass crust w/salt and enjoy..
Makes 3 "perfect ritas"..

I will not lower my standards.. So UP YOURS.. Evil

GUN CONTROL Link


southern tinkerbelle's picture
Submitted by southern tinkerbelle on Thu, 05/14/2009 - 9:59am.

umm....Fayette County's revenue as a whole is down not just in Fayetteville. So that wouldn't work because there are quite a few liquor stores in Peachtree City. I would love to have at least ONE liquor store in Fayetteville that way I wouldn't have to drive to Peachtree City or all the way to Riverdale or College Park (while I don't mind the drive, it just takes me 30 mins. to get them.) I'm sure I'm not alone on this. I'm sure the PTC house wives that are lit before 12noon are loving theirs.


Submitted by AtHomeGym on Thu, 05/14/2009 - 10:42am.

ou might not like the drive, but I don't know where you can find better wine prices than Brandon's at Petrol Point. Also decent at Rite Aid Drug Store in S. F'ville near Ingle's.

Submitted by YourGoodPalMike on Wed, 05/13/2009 - 12:16pm.

Try to purchase more often locally when possible. That should help. And remember, locally-owned enterprises are beneficial to the local economy in that profits are more likely to be reinvested back into the community.

Submitted by mysteryman on Mon, 05/18/2009 - 7:42pm.

Would be to allow more people to spend locally, we need to update our zoning ordanices to allow more diverse bussiness to be placed locally, Such things as strip clubs, liquor stores, and 24 hour pawn shops and check cashing centers,would allow more entrepenures to set up shop locally, and cater to our ever changeing diverse populace. I mean we already have a Goodwill Store, and a Title Pawn. So why not go full circle, and increase tax revenues across the board exponentually, that would have otherwise gone to surrounding counties who allow these types of bussinesses already. I mean we have to drive all the way to Clayton County to get such deals as.. 20 pairs socks for $20. Happy ending at the jack shack for $65.. $39.95 couple special at the no tell motel. When ever my T.V or VCR come up missing for $20 and a short trip to Old National, it can be recovered. And after hours theres nothing to do around here.. I mean come on.. Why drive all the way to a nightclub in Atlanta, when we have all of this empty squarefootage around here. Just imagine all the additional revenue a nightclub would generate both directly and indirectly. How about an adult novelty store, I mean what happens if you come up soft when the real shiiii goes down, and ya need a little help.... Just a thought.....BLESS..

Submitted by tikigod on Wed, 05/13/2009 - 9:30am.

What a perfectly accurate description. For the life of me, I can't figure out exactly why they have to do that.

Is it the "shiiiiii man" attitude?

Are the jealous that they don't have a car?

Or are they just a bunch of conformists that stick to a strict code of conduct (one that includes jay walking and big white Ts)?

I think it may be all of the above, but maybe someone else can shed some light on it Smiling

Submitted by mysteryman on Wed, 05/13/2009 - 7:02pm.

Its truly a sight to see, as they try to run with one hand trying to hold up their FUBU drawls, while the other clutches on to that 40z tucked inside that Crown royal bag bro .... Also kind of hard to get to steppin with dem Timbalands untied aint it my man shoooo.. Hope you dont get got holmes...BLESS

southern tinkerbelle's picture
Submitted by southern tinkerbelle on Thu, 05/14/2009 - 9:46am.

Sounds like to me that you have seen Boyz n the Hood one too many times. I would like to also add that nobody wears FUBU anymore or drinks 40oz malt drinks out of a Crown Royal Bag, and it's HOMES as in short for HOMIE not "HOLMES" . While I still find your attempt to sterotype urban culture slightly comical I would also like to suggest that you update your sterotypes because you are at least 10 yrs. behind. I give your "joke" a 5.3/10. (The .3 is for lack of accuracy).....BLESS, HOMIE.


Evil Elvis's picture
Submitted by Evil Elvis on Mon, 05/18/2009 - 8:21pm.

LOL.

You sure are an expert. Way to pick your battles.

Tard.


Submitted by mysteryman on Mon, 05/18/2009 - 7:59pm.

And not a da-- thing has changed.. Clowns still have not found a pair of britches that fit.. No one has shown holmes how to wear that starter cap... And i guess Fruit of the loom White Tees only come in one size now XXXXXXXXXXL.. Is all still about bling bling, poppin tags,, gettin wet... Ha ha ha main what you need...Grab... Get... And Got...Lifestyle.....NYCE

Submitted by mysteryman on Thu, 05/14/2009 - 8:24pm.

Call it like I see it... And since im colorblind im subject to clown about all without indifference or reguard to race... If only the rest of the world were to awaken colorblind tommrow, just imagine what would we do... I digress... And Que Pasa Meho Senoir Martinez. Life is nothing but a joke, might as well have a good laugh.. Enjoy...BLESS

Evil Elvis's picture
Submitted by Evil Elvis on Thu, 05/14/2009 - 9:24pm.

You kept it real and did it BIG with that post, yo!

Now be edified by my sig, dawg:

♦ Don't hate me coz you ain't me!
♦ The ladies call me 'ice' cause when i walk into the room, everyone freezes.


Submitted by mysteryman on Fri, 05/15/2009 - 5:04pm.

They gonna know sumpthins up if i aint strap... Rollin in my 5.0, with the top down yo..Hey Homie ya need some help..PEACE

Submitted by MacTheKnife on Thu, 05/14/2009 - 10:26am.

... disguised as a blogger.

Mysterymoron has been making racist remarks and assigning stereotypical characteristics to minorities since the first time I saw one of his 'blogs' months ago.

As a non (or very limited I should say) Spanish speaking man of Hispanic origin I can tell you I have heard the 'ese' this and 'ola' that for years. I hear and read the comments about "Mexicans" on cart paths and get asked almost daily where my family is from. Uh, would you believe "Georgia"? Everyone loves to speak Spanish the the 'Mexican guy'. (I love the "Do you work here?" every time I am coming back from the restroom in a restaurant or Pike Nursery.)

Anyway, I do appreciate your updating Mysterymoron's inaccurate stereotypes but I would actually love for someone to just tell him his racist rants are really not funny and confront him over his ignorance and self doubt.

Well, at least you put him 'scraight' right 'ese'?

Submitted by mysteryman on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 2:06pm.

I like white tees... I just tuck mine in....

I like Crown Royal... I just dont carry the bag around with me...

I like Timbalands... I just tie mine up....

I like mallt liquor... I just put litter in its place...

I ride around in Caddilacs... Just not the Brougham Edition...

BLESS....

Evil Elvis's picture
Submitted by Evil Elvis on Tue, 05/12/2009 - 8:31pm.

This is coming Fayette County?

http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww204/fayette_elvis/riverdale_jaywalker09399.jpg

LOL


Gene61's picture
Submitted by Gene61 on Tue, 05/12/2009 - 6:07pm.

Get ready for massive tax hike soon..


Submitted by MacTheKnife on Tue, 05/12/2009 - 5:23pm.

But the FCBOE promised us that the SPLOST would be the salvation of the entire system and prevent any cuts in services, teacher's pay or benefits ....... didn't they?

Hummm, A $1.7 million shortfall is coming .... gee ... it's deja vu all over again!

You don't suppose some of those shoppers are going elsewhere do you?

redrooster's picture
Submitted by redrooster on Wed, 05/13/2009 - 4:36pm.

Yeah I love shopping at the Pavilion with the jaywalkers.


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