Brownsville sales tax revenue up 15 percent

BROWNSVILLE - The city's latest sales tax receipts showed a hefty increase in business, according to tax revenue figures released Wednesday.

The newest figures, which reflect sales made in April, show $2.68 million, representing an increase of nearly 15 percent compared to the same period in 2007.

"People are still shopping, still coming to Brownsville and still buying," City Manager Charlie Cabler said of the consistently strong sales tax allocations to the city.

Although Brownsville's sales were certainly impressive, they paled in comparison to many other Cameron County communities.

Bayview saw an enormous 177 percent increase, but the community is still down more than 60 percent for the year compared to 2007.

Other communities that had a good month included Los Fresnos, Los Indios and La Feria.

Brownsville's success in April continued an upward trend this year. City sales tax receipts have increased more than 7 percent through April.

According to Cabler this speaks to the good relationship that Brownsville has with Mexico, pointing to continued investment in commercial developments in the city.

"Allocations are continuously monitored because the revenues are ‘very vital' to the city's operating budget," Cabler said. "The revenues are keeping us afloat."

The city will receive the revenues this month, two months after the sales were made.

Allocation histories are posted on the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Web site.