Livingston Sales Tax Receipts Trend Upward

LIVINGSTON, La. (AP) — For 22 consecutive months, Livingston Parish has shown increases in sales tax receipts when compared with the same months a year earlier.

The Advocate reports August sales tax collections jumped 12 percent compared with August 2011.

Parish officials say the added income arrives at an opportune time. They are dealing with hurricane expenses, soaring employee health insurance costs and other financial pressures to their budgets.

Records show the total amount of August sales taxes collected by parish governmental agencies exceeded $6 million compared with less than $5.4 million collected in August 2011.

Superintendent of Schools Bill Spear said the increased tax revenue numbers are welcome in light of reductions in state funding.