Farmington Sales Tax Revenue Climbs

FARMINGTON — The city’s revenue from its local 1-cent sales tax was up for the month of September, compared with the same period last year, according to Kelly Penn, Farmington city clerk.

Penn gives out a monthly financial report at each Farmington City Council meeting and had good news at the Oct. 12 meeting.

Farmington’s city sales tax revenues were up by $10,500 for September, compared with September 2014. Tax revenues from the county sales tax also were up, by $6,630, for a total of more than $17,000, compared with the same period last year.

Sales tax revenues continue to climb in 2015, according to figures from Jimmy Story, chief financial officer. Except for July, Farmington’s city sales revenues have been up each month, compared with the same month in 2014.

For 2014, through September, Farmington received $ 404,762 from its 1- cent sales tax. For 2015, through September, Farmington has collected $487,684, an 8-percent increase.

Revenue from the county sales tax also has increased, compared with last year. Through September, Farmington has received $780,914 from its portion of the county sales tax. It collected $726,836 for the same period in 2014.

In other action Oct. 12, City Council members approved a request from Floyd Shelley, public works director, to purchase a New Holland tractor and loader for the street department for a total of $26,850.

The city will pay $2,000 in a lease-to-purchase amount for 2015 to lock in the price and then will purchase the Holland tractor in 2016 for $24,850.

When the new equipment arrives, the city will transfer a Massey Ferguson tractor from the street department to the parks department.

Shelley said both departments have been sharing the same tractor for mowing parks and rights of way. That is no longer feasible since the addition of 32 acres to Creekside Park, Shelley said.

The new tractor will be included in the street department’s 2016 budget.

The Council also appointed attorney Jay Moore to fill a vacancy on Farmington Planning Commission.

Josh Clary recently resigned because he has moved out of Farm-ington. Moore will serve out Clary’s position through February 2016, and can be reappointed if he wants to continue.

Moore has lived in Farmington for eight years and works with a law firm in Fayetteville.

He has three children in the Farmington School District and said he plans to live in Farmington for a long time.

He primarily practices criminal defense.

Two other ordinances passed by the Council include the annual ordinance to levy a 5 mil property tax on real and personal property within the city limits. This is the same millage rate as previous years.

A second ordinance vacates an easement on lot 12 in Owl Creek subdivision.

Moore