Joplin City reports June sales‑tax gain; year‑to‑date budget gap remains

Leslie Haws, presenting the city's financial update, told the Joplin City Council on June 16 that June sales tax receipts were up about 8.8% compared with June of last year, while year‑to‑date sales tax collections are up about 1.4% year‑over‑year—below the level the city budgeted.

Haws said use tax for June was down about 3% year‑over‑year but remains roughly 6% higher for the year. She also noted a month‑to‑month spike in marijuana tax collections that appears to be a timing issue between May and June postings. On the general fund, Haws said year‑to‑date operating revenue is about $96,943 over budget, and operating expenditures are under budget; overall the city is roughly $1.2 million ahead year‑to‑date, but staff cautioned that much of that advantage is due to timing rather than permanent savings. One‑time revenue is about $18,000 under the adopted budget and one‑time expenditures are under budget as well.

Council members asked staff to change the final column of the published table to show variance relative to the adopted budget and to include a single, visible projection line for the year. Councilmember Mr. Carpal asked for a clear indication of the city’s projected growth (members discussed a 2% projection), and Haws agreed to revise the table and update the projection graph; she said fuller budget work and updated numbers will be presented in the coming months.

The council did not take any formal action during the finance presentation; staff said they will provide an updated report with the requested projection display.