Strong Sales Tax Not Sign Of Turnaround

Despite the fact Fulton County sales tax revenue for 2008 is running ahead of the same time in 2007, Vond Hall, Fulton County Administrator isn't ready to celebrate yet.

Sales tax revenue was up just over 1% in March, and 19% in April.

Revenue in the first four months of 2008 approached 1.4 million; in the same four months of 2007, revenue was approaching 1.3 million.

"I don't think I would say that the economy is turning around," Hall said.

"What I can say is that I am pleased to see that the latest report is running slightly ahead of my projections."

Fulton County receives a 1% share of the of the 6.5% sales tax charged on some goods and services.

Merchants remit the full amount to the State Department of taxation, which calculates the county share, and returns that amount. The process takes about three months from the time the money is collected until it is received by the county.

Fulton and Defiance counties have 6.5% sales tax rates. The rate is 7% in Henry and Williams counties.

County sales tax rates in Ohio range from 6% in Stark and Hancock counties to 7.75% in Cuyahoga County.