October Occupational Tax numbers up

For the fourth consecutive month McCreary County Occupational Tax receipts showed improvement over the previous year, putting overall collections on pace to exceed budgeted expectations by nearly $200,000.

For the month of October $112,745.22 was added to the General Fund according to the Occupational Tax Office and Judge Executive Doug Stephens.

Last year only about $96,000 was collected in October, $97,000 in 2013 and about $77,000 in 2012.

Over the first four months of the fiscal year $397,890.40 has been collected, surpassing last years collections over the same period by more than $100,000.

If that average continues $1.193 million could be brought in for the fiscal year, exceeding what was anticipated in the current budget – $1,000,000.

The increased numbers do not necessarily reflect a strengthening local economy, however.

Increased participation by employees at USP McCreary and other federal institutions help bring the collections up, but more past due accounts are being paid through an increased effort by the OC Tax office and the County Attorney.