The city of Poplar Bluff recently marked another milestone in the collection of sales tax. The one-cent general fund sales tax collected more than $6 million in 2021, according to audit documents presented in February to city council members.
It was the first time since the sales tax was approved in 1970 by voters that collections reached $6 million. Collections also grew by more than $700,000 the largest single-year gain since at least 1996, according to past audit documents. The general fund sales tax helps pay for police, fire and street departments, as well as city hall and other expenses.
The general fund sales tax first topped $3 million in 1997. It would take nine years to top $4 million, in 2006. Another nine years, 2015, would mark the next single fiscal year growth topping $5 million in collections. It would take only six years to cross the $6 million mark in 2021.
This marks more than $600 million in retail spending in the fiscal year from residents, travelers and others in the region.