Fremont County reports 2024 sales and use tax collections roughly even with 2023; retail sales slightly lower

Fremont County budget and finance officer Sean Sutton reported that overall 2024 sales and use tax collections finished close to 2023 levels, with some variances across categories.

Sutton said December 2024 retail sales tax totaled $836,085, $18,088 more than December 2023, while year‑to‑date retail collections were $9,491,993, $16,523 less than 2023 but $1,241,993 ahead of budget. "So overall, a pretty good year," Sutton said, noting that the difference from 2023 amounted to what he called "decimal dust at $16,000."

The county's auto use tax performed strongly: December 2024 auto use tax totaled $110,985, $7,510 more than 2023, and year‑to‑date auto use collections rose $108,546 to $1,695,307, exceeding budget by $420,307. Sutton noted unusual large transactions in recent Septembers and cautioned 2025 might not match 2023 or 2024 in this category.

Lodging tax for December came in at $59,564, $7,599 higher than December 2023; year‑to‑date lodging tax totaled $369,349, $17,025 above 2023 and $14,349 over budget.

Sutton also reported on the sheriff's share of retail collections: December retail for the sheriff's portion was $557,390, $12,058 above 2023, with year‑to‑date collections of $6,327,994 (down $11,011 from 2023) but exceeding budget by $602,994. The sheriff's auto use share totaled $73,990 in December and $1,130,206 year‑to‑date, an increase of $72,365 over 2023 and $305,206 over budget.

Commissioners discussed the local business impacts behind the numbers, noting inflation and higher prices helped tax receipts despite fewer customers at restaurants and lodging. The board did not take any action based on the report; Sutton said the first two quarters of 2025 will be key indicators.

Ending: The board accepted the sales and use tax report as informational and moved on to other business.