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Mayor reports sales-tax gains and outlines business developments at Pryor Creek meeting
Summary
At a Pryor Creek meeting the mayor said monthly sales tax was up and cited promotions and seasonal activity; he also outlined planned businesses — including a Casey’s and a seven-brewer operation — and said the EDTA accepted an offer on the old police station.
At a Pryor Creek meeting, the mayor reported that the city’s sales tax for the month "was up again" and highlighted a string of local development projects expected to boost revenue.
The mayor told council members the monthly increase reflects promotions such as the “We Street” coupon program, promotional videos and seasonal holiday activity. "If you look at the sales tax for the month, we were up again," the mayor said, adding the month is a "tremendous increase" compared with recent years. He also reported year-to-date revenue of "7,800,000."
The report matters because local sales and use taxes fund core services. The mayor said use-tax receipts remain elevated (about $140,000 for the month) and that Fire and Animal Control currently show higher fund usage, prompting staff to audit lower-priority accounts and invoices to identify savings.
Council heard details about several pending commercial projects that the administration expects to expand the tax base. The mayor said a seven-brewer operation is planned for space near the IMI building, and that a Casey’s convenience store is confirmed to be coming. He said one prospective coffee shop fell through but that developers were unconcerned. "We've got some good stuff going on right now," the mayor said.
The mayor also reported that the Economic Development and Tourism Authority (EDTA) accepted an offer on the old police station and that the sale — financed rather than purchased with cash — and planned remodel will appear on the council agenda Tuesday night. The mayor framed the decision as saving the city demolition costs and putting an established business in place to generate sales tax.
On operations, the mayor described changes to payment timing — moving some payments from upfront to quarterly — and said staff coordination (for example, streets staff assisting park work) is being used to reduce contracted project costs.
Votes at a glance: Council approved the minutes of the Dec. 9, 2025 meeting (motion made and seconded; recorded votes included Laurie Bradshaw: yes; Charles Trammell: yes; Joyce Shropshire: yes). A motion to adjourn was later passed by recorded vote and the meeting was closed.
The mayor closed by urging prompt council consideration of the EDTA item when it appears on the next agenda.
