RISON - After seeing a consistent decline in sales tax collections throughout much of 2024, Cleveland County seems to have rebounded this year as the county has recorded year-toyear monthly gains in sales tax collections so far through 2025. Based on to the report handed out by County Treasurer Angie Kimsey during Monday night's Cleveland County Quorum Court meeting, the county saw an increase of more than 12 percent in its a year-to-year collection of its 1-cent sales tax collection for July, rising from $41,200.29 in July 2024 to $46,471.19 for July of this year.That gain comes on the heels of year-to-year gains for each month so far through 2025.The county's 1 percent sales tax is split with 69 percent going to the road department and the other 31 percent to county general. That increase in collections for 2025 also translates over to the 0.25 percent collected for the ambulance service and the 2 percent collected for solid waste.Kimsey said it is difficult to tell exactly what has fueled the turn around since the state only provides a total amount for the sales tax collected and does not provide the sources of where it came from. The majority of local sales taxes are generated by the goods and services sold in the county. However, local sales taxes are also collected on online purchases as well as items delivered inside the county, though no distinction is made when the state pays the tax money to the county.The financial report also revealed that Cleveland County's general fund balance is up by more than $64,000 when compared to the same month last year. According to the report, the county closed out July with an ending balance of $469,476.48. In comparison, the general fund closed out July 2024 with a balance of $405,365.92. The general fund serves as a barometer of sorts for the financial health of the county since it includes all expenses for the county outside of the road department.Road Dept. Update Co...
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