Lubbock projects $1.8 million sales-tax shortfall; city manager orders hiring freeze for non‑public‑safety roles

City Manager Atkinson told the Lubbock City Council on April 22, 2024, that year‑to‑date sales‑tax collections are $1,800,000 below the budgeted amount and that, if current trends persist, the city could finish the fiscal year about $4,800,000 short against a budget of roughly $105.6 million.

Atkinson said the city’s internal sales‑tax model — which accounts for historical monthly weightings and reports collections in arrears — shows actual receipts of about $40.2 million against a budgeted $42.0 million through the reporting period. “We have received 40,000,000.2. So where we sit today, we are $1,800,000 behind in our sales tax collection,” Atkinson said.

The shortfall prompted Atkinson to announce an immediate hiring freeze for open full‑time positions outside public‑safety departments. He estimated the seven remaining months of the freeze would save about $1,630,000 in payroll…