By Andy Sevilla

For the first time in Kyle’s history, the city collected nearly $600,000 in sales tax revenue this month; meanwhile, Buda topped the $500,000 collection mark, also a first for that city.

Recently released Texas sales tax figures reveal Kyle collected $597,000 in sales taxes this month, likely receiving a boost by the city’s newly opened movie theater, and holiday shopping. 

February sales tax figures represent sales made in December.

Buda, on the other hand, collected $540,000 in sales taxes this month. February marks the first month Buda has collected $500,000 or more in sales taxes, according to the state comptroller’s sales tax data. 

Both cities saw a 21 percent uptick in their collections this month when compared to last February’s figures, the data revealed. And both cities have collected just under $1 million so far this calendar year.

Uhland, a rural community tucked in eastern Hays County, saw the largest percentage growth when compared to all other local governments in the county. 

Uhland’s sales tax collection in February hiked up 56 percent to $10,655, when compared to its collection during the same month last year — $6,836 — the comptroller’s data showed. 

Niederwald also saw large gains this month as the town collected $2,440, a 35.5 percent jump over its $1,800 collection last February.

In western Hays County, Wimberley collected $93,500 in sales tax collections this month, marking a 12.5 percent increase over its $83,000 collection last February. 

Dripping Springs collected $166,500 this month, up nine percent over its $153,000 collection during the same month last year, the data revealed. 

Hays County’s largest and most populous city, San Marcos, received $3 million in sales tax revenue this month. San Marcos’ February sales tax revenue marks a 10 percent increase over its collection during the same month last year.

Hays County, which collected 0.5 percent of every sale made within its borders, collected $1.7 million in revenue this month, up 13 percent over its $1.5 percent collection last February, data revealed.

State Comptroller Glenn Hegar distributed $873 million in monthly sales tax revenue to Texas cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts. 

“The growth in sales tax revenues was led by business spending,” Hegar said in a statement. “Receipts from the manufacturing and wholesale trade sectors were up sharply. In spite of the recent decline in crude oil prices, tax receipts from the oil and natural gas mining sector also grew strongly.”

Despite a decline in crude oil prices, impacting one of Texas’ largest economic drivers, the sales tax distributions this month mark 58 consecutive months of year-over-year growth. Hegar said the growth is indicative of a dynamic and diverse state economy that continues generating business investment and spending in Texas.

“My office will continue to carefully monitor the impact that lower oil prices will have on our state’s economy,” Hegar said. “But these sales tax allocation numbers are an encouraging sign of continued strength.”

The $873.1 million sales tax revenue distribution statewide this month marks an 8.9 percent jump over last February’s figures.