June Sales Tax Revenues Up 10% Over 2019

It appears Putnam County has weathered the feared sales tax downturn from COVID as June revenue numbers increased 10.3 percent over last year.

That countywide increase essentially wipes away the 9.3 percent decrease from April during the COVID shutdown, according to numbers released by County Mayor Randy Porter.

Sales tax numbers for June reported Wednesday. County sales tax numbers increased 28 percent. Much of that increase from changes in reporting internet sales tax revenues. Monterey sales tax revenues up 15.1 percent followed by Baxter at 10.1 percent.

Cookeville recorded 3.22 million in sales tax revenue during June, an increase of 8.8 percent from last year.

Algood saw a 6.4 percent increase in June.

Since the pandemic hit in late March, revenue decreased 9.3 percent in April and rebounded to a 4.5 percent increase in May. Local leaders said they believe the stay-at-home orders in April led many to undertake home repairs and improvements. That offset the decreases from restaurants and smaller retail.