Best December in 3 years puts 2011 EBR sales tax collections up 4%

Mayor Kip Holden says a report today showing sales taxes ended 2011 up 4% over 2010 figures is a signal the local economy is “not just surviving, but thriving.” The 2% sales tax fueling the city-parish general fund generated $162.5 million in 2011, compared to $156.3 million in 2010 and $161.1 million in 2009. It’s the highest total since 2008, when the city-parish collected $171.4 million, driven in part by the rebuilding that occurred in the wake of Hurricane Gustav. “I have watched other cities in Louisiana and around the country cut police officers, reduce services and lay off employees. That hasn’t happened here in East Baton Rouge Parish,” Holden says in a prepared release. 2011 year-end figures received a boost from the strongest December in three years, with $16.4 million collected in the city and parish combined—a 4.8% increase over December 2010 collections. See the complete details on the December and year-end collections here. To view a comparison of the city-parish general fund sales tax collections over the past five years, click here.