There is good news this week about Houston’s economic health from the Missouri Department of Revenue.
The tally from a one-cent sales tax collected by merchants rose about 4.8 percent under the monthly distribution. The total was $63,649, which is a jump of about $3,000 from a year ago. For the first five months of the year, the total is $273,905, which is up $9,843 for the year.
Two quarter-cent sales for roads and sidewalks also were up. Each contributed about $15,400, which is an increase of about $500 for the same period a year ago. For the year, more than $65,000 has been collected on each. That’s up about $1,800 on each.
Revenue from an eighth-cent sales tax totaled $7,697, which is used for debt repayment on a fire truck.
The reports are considered a good barometer of economic activity.