Platte County treasurer Rob Willard this week released current sales and use tax reports for 2020, showing a significant drop in revenue even prior to the COVID-19 lockdown.
Willard released the preliminary information, not including TIF calculations, to officeholders and the public Tuesday, April 7.
Combined sales and use tax receipts are down 11.28 percent through the first third of the year compared to the same time in 2019, Willard said.
Although the sales tax was in positive territory for the April report, growing by 4.25 percent, use tax fell over 40 percent. In terms of dollars, the county is off close to $600,000 compared to last year at this time. The use tax itself is down close to 40 percent for the year.
The monthly sales tax reports reflect receipts from two months prior. This month reflects February sales and the report for the year thus far is from November 2019 through February 2020 (all prior to the Kansas City area stay at home orders).
“I will not make predictions for the rest of the year based on these numbers as there is no past economic model for Platte County akin to the current situation,” Willard said. “We must remain resolute and focused on the current situation.
“At the same time, we must devote some time looking at the months ahead and potential difficulties we’ll face during the period of recovery.”