By Roger McKinney

rmckinney@joplinglobe.com

COLUMBUS, Kan. — The ailing national economy is not reflected in sales-tax revenues in Cherokee or Crawford counties. At least not yet.

The figures are from the Kansas Department of Revenue’s Office of Policy and Research. They represent sales taxes collected by businesses in the towns and counties that are turned over to the state. The state then distributes the tax revenues.

There is about a two-month delay between collection of sales taxes by businesses and disbursement of the money by the state. Steve Brunkan, a state economist, said the December distributions from the state are based on October sales in the communities.

Cherokee County sales-tax revenues for calendar year 2008 totaled $2,010,569, a 4.7 percent increase from $1,920,130 in 2007. The county has a 1.5-cent sales tax.

Crawford County’s 1-cent sales tax resulted in 2008 revenues of $4,450,710, also a 4.7 percent increase from $4,249,837 in 2007.

Pittsburg’s 1-cent sales tax generated $3,182,206 in 2008, a 14 percent increase from $2,790,360 the previous year.

Among Cherokee County towns, the 1-cent sales tax in Baxter Springs resulted in revenues of $373,683 in 2008, a 6.7 percent increase from $350,171 in 2007.

Jim Hall, director of the Baxter Springs Chamber of Commerce and economic development director for the city, said existing retailers must have experienced increased business during the year. He speculated that when gas prices spiked last year, more people shopped locally.

“I think I did that, personally,” Hall said.

Revenue from Galena’s 1-cent sales tax resulted in revenue of $145,455 in 2008, an 8.2 percent increase from $134,390 in 2007.

“The financial picture in Galena has been very bright,” said Mayor Dale Oglesby. He said the town has been conservative while planning for the future.

“We’re still doing a lot of forward thinking: planning for growth and making infrastructure improvements,” he said.

Columbus sales-tax revenues totaled $440,911 in 2008, less than a 1 percent increase from $437,578 in 2007. The town has a 1-cent sales tax.