Williams sales tax and BBB numbers on the rise

Total city collections up 4 percent through September

WILLIAMS, Ariz. - When it comes to our nation's struggling economy, good news is always welcome.

Here in Williams, sales tax and Bed Board and Booze (BBB) revenue is up, only slightly, but enough to enjoy a positive trend in the city's consumer spending.

"We are crawling back up to where we were in 2007 and 2008 before the recession hit," Williams Finance Director Joe Duffy said.

Duffy expects the city's total collections - the total amount received from the Department of Revenue - through the end of the tourist season to at least equal prior years if not do better.

"We are doing a little bit better than anticipated. It's encouraging," he said. "We see that activity is definitely coming back. We had a slow August but September and October were pretty good."

Sales tax and BBB numbers through September show positive signs. In September 2010, the city collected $314,604.81 in total revenue. This year, the numbers are up 4 percent at $407,860.40, exceeding the amount the city anticipated by 1 percent.

Sales tax is up 4 percent and BBB is up six percent. The city budgeted to be up three percent in both.

Duffy said it is a sign that things are moving in the right direction.

"It's going to take several years for us to get back to where we were though," he added

The state of Arizona is seeing the same upward trend. State-shared revenue and state collections are starting to trend positive, mirroring trends seen in Williams.