MANSFIELD — Sales tax collections in DeSoto Parish are on pace for another record year.
A six-month report from the DeSoto Parish Sales and Use Tax Commission reflects $57.5 million in collections through Dec. 31. That's an increase of $20 million when compared to the same time period last year.
As expected, the oil and gas activity associated with the Haynesville Shale gets the credit. Other contributing factors are dozens of construction projects, including two new motels going up in Mansfield, and some road work, said commission Administrator Chris Robinette.
The big players in the shale exploration and development have hinted at a slowdown this year as most will have a majority of their leaseholds held by production.
Additionally, some of the same companies are in search of more profitable oil plays as the price of natural gas remains stagnant.
"We're looking for it every day," Robinette said of the promised slowdown. "But we haven't seen it yet."
The 2009-10 fiscal year ending June 30 pushed the parish's sales tax collections over $86 million, which is four times the average amount received prior to the Haynesville Shale's frenzy in 2008.
"I still think we'll go over that," Robinette said of this year's totals.
The six-month report released earlier this month does not take into account December's retail sales. Those numbers will be reflected in this month's report.
The following is a breakdown by agency for the six-month period ending Dec. 31, compared to the six-month period ending Dec. 31, 2009:
•DeSoto Parish School Board - $34.8 million, up from $22.5 million;
•DeSoto Parish Police Jury - $13.9 million, up from $9 million;
•Law Enforcement District - $7 million, up from $4.5 million;
•City of Mansfield - $1.2 million, up from $956,762;
•Town of Logansport - $126,539, down from $171,453;
•Village of South Mansfield - $67,311, up from $46,940;
•Town of Stonewall - $170,704, up from $103,035;
•Village of Grand Cane - $117,703, up from $53,549;
•Town of Keachi - $64,334, down from $85,503.
This article was first published by ShreveportTimes.com on January 16, 2011.