HARLINGEN — For the first time in at least two years, Harlingen has posted year-over-year state sales tax reimbursements that are negative, showing a 0.40 percent drop for the calendar year.
For the month of May, Harlingen was down 4.40 percent over the same month a year ago. Elsewhere in Cameron County, San Benito posted a strong 13.41 percent gain for May and is up 4.43 percent for the year.
Rio Hondo was up 43.78 percent, La Feria was up 12.60 percent, Los Fresnos was up 4.72 percent and Port Isabel posted a gain of 2.78 percent.
Brownsville (down 4.55 percent) and South Padre Island (down 0.98 percent) were the other cities to show lower year-over-year monthly figures. Both cities remain solidly ahead for the year, however.
Overall, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced he will send cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts $764.3 million in local sales tax allocations for July, 0.7 percent more than in July 2018. These allocations are based on sales made in May by businesses that report tax monthly.
In Willacy County, Raymondville’s strong month-to-month run ended with May sales tax reimbursements declining 0.53 percent, although the city remains up 16.63 percent for the year. Lyford was up 30.09 percent for the month.
In Hidalgo County, McAllen continued its strong run of sales tax numbers, up 8.35 percent for the month (up 10.31 percent for the year), Edinburg was up 12.96 percent, Pharr was up 5.33 percent and Weslaco also posted a gain, up 6.53 percent.
Monthly percent Annual percent
Cameron County
HARLINGEN Down 4.40 Down 0.40
SAN BENITO Up 13.41 Up 4.43
RIO HONDO Up 43.78 Up 27.17
LA FERIA Up 12.60 Up 8.52
S. PADRE ISL Down 0.98 Up 5.67
PORT ISABEL Up 2.78 Up 5.62
LOS FRESNOS Up 4.72 Up 16.92
BROWNSVILLE Down 4.55 Up 3.14
Willacy County
RAYMONDVILLE Down 0.53 Up 16.63
LYFORD Up 30.09 Up 24.54
Hidalgo County
MCALLEN Up 8.35 Up 10.31
MERCEDES Down 4.09 Up 0.08
EDINBURG Up 12.96 Up 12.87
PHARR Up 5.33 Up 14.59
MISSION Up 17.55 Up 8.73
WESLACO Up 6.53 Up 5.35
Source: Texas Comptroller’s Office. Allocations are based on sales made in May by businesses that report tax monthly.
