Total sales tax revenues in 2009 in Steuben County were slightly less than projected, according to county Administrator Mark Alger.
“Overall, it was not as good as we would have liked it, but not as bad as it could have been,” Alger said.
The county’s total portion of sales tax receipts in 2009 amounted to $25.3 million, about $150,000 less than what was budgeted, according to the county Treasurer’s report.
Whether the deficit needs to be made up through county reserves remains to be seen, Alger said.
Typically, Steuben receives all its outside funding by the end of February, followed by the county’s final 2009 fiscal report in March, Alger said.
Total sales tax revenue throughout the county was down 6 percent. Last year total receipts – which includes municipalities - were $43.9 million compared to $46.6 million in 2008.
Fourth quarter revenues in 2009 amounted to $10.6 million, down from $11.7 million in revenues reported in the same quarter in 2008.
The city of Corning’s year-end 1 percent sales tally also dropped, from $2.6 million in 2008 to $2.3 million in 2009.
The city of Hornell’s annual 2009 report increased slightly, but remained around the $2.4 million mark both years.
The remainder of the towns and villages in Steuben split $11.9 million in 2009, down from $12.6 million distributed in 2008.
Alger said sales tax revenues aren’t expected to change much this year.
“We’re predicting flat revenues, and at this point, I’ll be happy with that,” he said.
