OC Tax up again

The McCreary County Occupational Tax Office is reporting another better than average month as November receipts totaled $85,169.75 – the fifth consecutive month collections are above the average.

A total of $483,060 has been added to the General Fund since the start of the fiscal year in July, more than $107,000 ahead of collections over the same period last year.

In 2014 just over $71,000 was collected in November, while 2012 and 2013 saw $62,000 and $47,000 in collections respectively.

Projecting the five-month average of $96,612 over a full fiscal year a total of $1.159 million is expected to be collected if the average holds. That total would be more than $150,000 anticipated in the current budget.

Again, 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.