Mayor Scott James: St. Albans exceeded B&O revenue estimate by $1.2 million; Tractor Supply due this fall

Mayor Scott James said St. Albans exceeded its budget estimate for business & occupation (B&O) tax and described how the city is managing lost revenue while a new Tractor Supply store finishes construction.

"They had estimated, $2,700,000 in BNO tax. We exceeded that by 1,200,000," Mayor Scott James said, citing new and expanding local businesses as the reason for the higher-than-expected receipts. He characterized the revenue gains as evidence that "there is business going on in St. Albans, and it's really growing and thriving." (Mayor Scott James)

The mayor also outlined a separate, longer-term fiscal pressure stemming from a state legislative change that eliminated B&O tax on new car sales. "Three years ago they had eliminated B and O tax on new car sales, and they predicted we'd lose about $400,000 a year. I wish it was that, but, with the way prices have gone up, we're probably losing 7 to $900,000," he said. City leaders are pursuing replacements for that revenue and have instituted a spending and hiring freeze in the short term.

On downtown retail, Mayor James provided an operational timeline for Tractor Supply Co.'s new store: he said contractors expect to finish "probably early to mid September" with the store opening "early to mid October," and that the retailer will need roughly a month to install shelving and displays before opening for business. "It's going on track," he added.

The mayor noted limits on personnel budgets: "There—9s not a lot of raises going on this coming fiscal year," and said the mayoral salary remains $54,000; he also said he performs additional work as general manager of the municipal utility commission (MUC).

Why it matters: Local sales and business activity drive city revenues used for services and payroll. The city'9s immediate revenue overperformance on B&O collections provides some cushion, but the mayor warned that lost receipts tied to the state car-sales change create an ongoing shortfall that officials are working to replace.

What happens next: Mayor James said officials are pursuing new economic development and noted that new retail—such as Tractor Supply—should provide additional sales tax receipts. The city remains under a temporary hiring and spending freeze while leaders plan for the coming fiscal year.