JOHNSTOWN — Fulton County’s third quarter sales tax revenue increased by a surprising $570,902 from a year ago, perhaps due to more travelers to the area.
Third quarter increases in sales tax were reported for all of the county’s municipalities, except the city of Johnstown.
Sales tax had been down for most of several quarters in recent years the county, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic period. But even County Treasurer Terry Blodgett — who released a sales tax distribution report Tuesday — said the latest large numbers are a pleasant surprise.
Total sales tax distribution for Fulton County for the third quarter came in at $6,703,913 — $570,902 more than a year ago, according to a state report released by Blodgett. The total third quarter distribution in 2019 was $6,133,010.
“The county had a great third quarter with total additional sales tax revenue of $570,902 compared to the same period last year,” Blodgett said. “This brings the county year to date total sales tax revenues in at $17,138,562 — an increase of $547,953 over last year. Many are estimating that more travelers to this area is the reason for the increase.”
Fulton County is up 3 percent year to date, while Blodgett said the rest of the counties are averaging losses of over 3 percent year to date. For the third quarter, New York City was down $1.1 billion in sales tax, or 18 percent year to date.
Total sales tax to the county itself for the third quarter was up by $323,103 — from $4,091,448 in 2019 to $4,414,552 in 2020.
The good news was spread across Fulton County’s towns and villages, as collectively they also saw a $247,799 hike in sales tax. The total to the towns and villages went from $2,041,561 for the third quarter of 2019 to $2,289,361 for the third quarter of 2020.
In the Glove Cities, the city of Gloversville saw an increase from $953,566 a year ago to $1,010,400 in 2020.
The city of Johnstown actually witnessed a decrease in sales tax for the third quarter, dipping from $1,097,936 in 2019 to $1,060,524 in 2020.
Total third quarter sales tax and the increases for Fulton County’s other municipalities was as follows:
Town of Bleecker: $85,132 — up $7,420; town of Broadalbin: $292,431 — up $30,527; village of Broadalbin: $56,618 — up $5,601; village of Broadalbin in the town of Mayfield: $1,127 — up $358; town of Caroga: $215,948 — up $19,421; town of Ephratah: $80,466 — up $8,423; town of Johnstown: $399,427 — up $42,210; town of Mayfield: $396,547 — up $50,154; village of Mayfield: $38,498 — up $4,798; town of Northampton: $258,526 — up $26,306; village of Northville: $76,503 — up $8,886; town of Oppenheim: $84,255 — up $8,886; village of Dolgeville: $3,729 — up $291; town of Perth: $205,541 — up $24,342; town of Stratford: $94,607 — up $10,889.
Michael Anich covers Johnstown and Fulton County news. He can be reached at [email protected]
