City’s sales tax collections hit record high

The city of Philadelphia saw its state sales tax returns reach an all-time high during the fiscal year 2022-2023 which ended June 30.

The city received $5,248,701 for the fiscal year, an increase of $285,143 when compared to the $4,963,558 it received during the previous year, according to figures from the Mississippi Department of Revenue.

Municipalities in Mississippi collect sales tax for the state and receive a portion of that each month. While not exact, sales tax returns are an indicator of how the business climate in a municipality is doing. These are funds cities use to operate on a day-to-day basis.

“This was an all-time high for our city,” said Mayor James Young. “I keep saying this but this is what happens when people shop at home. The money stays here and benefits our community.”

Doc’s Toyota opened in December with an estimated $27 million in annual sales, officials estimated.

Philadelphia received $462,748 from the state in June, an increase of $7,647 when compared to June 2022.

       The Mayor and Board of Aldermen held its second meeting of the month on July 18 and voted to take the following actions:

• Approve a motion to reappoint Philip Prince to the Philadelphia Utilities Board. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to accept the resignation of Richard Beckham from the Park Board. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to appoint Randy Gill to the Park Board. The motion was approved unanimously.

• Approve a motion to pay Webster Electric $103,256 on the Airport Lighting Project. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to pay Philadelphia Utilities connection costs associated the 532 Main Street project. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to change the status of Brian Oubre in the Street Department from full-time to part-time. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to hire Cody Kilgore in the Street Department at $15 per hour. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to hire Bradley Savell for the Cemetery Department as part-time summer help at $7.25. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to pay the District Attorney’s Office $371 out of the Drug Seizure Account. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to accept the resignation of Shawn Shoemake from the Police Department. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to approve the DUI and OP grant applications for 2024 and allow the Mayor to sign same. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to accept the resignation of Algene Mcquarters from the Fire Department. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to purchase a Chevy 2500 from Tolbert Chevrolet for the Fire Department. The motion was approved unanimously; and,

• Approve a motion to set a budget workshop for July 31 at 5 p.m. at City Hall. The motion was approved unanimously.