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Fremont County finance director reports large February sales-tax receipt; officials cite state timing
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Summary
Fremont County’s finance director told commissioners that February retail sales-tax receipts jumped to $754,315—$179,467 higher than the same month in 2025—and said the increase likely reflects a state timing discrepancy rather than sustained growth. Officials said they will monitor March collections to confirm trends.
Fremont County Finance Director Sean Zutten told the Board of Commissioners on April 14 that county retail and use tax collections for late winter showed an unexpected rise.
Zutten said, “general fund retail sales tax collection for February 2026 totaled $754,315. This is a $179,467 more than 2025.” He explained the department’s working theory: the state’s remittance timing appears to have concentrated receipts into February rather than reflecting increased consumer activity.
The comptroller provided additional detail. Year-to-date retail sales tax stood at $1,394,341—$168,840 more than 2025—while retail sales tax for February specifically was reported at $502,876 (a $119,644 increase over 2025) and year-to-date retail collections at $929,560, which the finance office said remains behind the adopted budget by about $70,884. Auto-use sales tax for March totaled $118,580, and the sheriff’s auto-use portion was $79,054.
Zutten cautioned that March collections may normalize the apparent spike: “it sounds like there was a timing difference with the state,” he said, and that the lodging fund and other seasonal revenues typically even out as tourism picks up in warmer months.
Commissioners thanked the finance director and said they would continue to monitor monthly reports. The board received no formal action tied to the report; staff will provide updated figures at the next meeting.
