{"id":2387287,"date":"2025-01-07T09:02:59","date_gmt":"2025-01-07T14:02:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/spokane-county-sales-tax-growth-lulls-at-1-after-averaging-4-for-over-20-years-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-01-07T09:05:34","modified_gmt":"2025-01-07T14:05:34","slug":"spokane-county-sales-tax-growth-lulls-at-1-after-averaging-4-for-over-20-years-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/spokane-county-sales-tax-growth-lulls-at-1-after-averaging-4-for-over-20-years-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Spokane County sales tax growth lulls at 1% after averaging 4% for over 20 years &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">36<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fspokane-county-sales-tax-growth-lulls-at-1-after-averaging-4-for-over-20-years-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2387287&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Spokane County is experiencing a notable slowdown in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/lets-back-the-blue-texas-house-passes-bill-cracking-down-on-cities-that-defund-police\/\" title=\"BREAKING: Texas House Passes Bill Cracking Down On Cities That Defund Police\">sales tax revenue<\/a>\u200d growth, which has\u2062 dipped to just 1% after averaging \u200daround 4% for over two decades.The \u2062county is currently 1.4% behind its \u200cprojected tax collections, \u2062amounting to a shortfall of $1.1 million from the\u200b expected \u200b$79.3 million by the \u2062end of December 2024. In December alone, the county generated $6.9 million, reflecting a 4.6% increase compared to December 2023. However, the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">annual \u200csales tax growth remains sluggish<\/a>. Randy Bischoff, the senior director \u2064of Finance &#038; Governance, has \u2064indicated that the county likely will not meet its 2024\u200c sales \u200btax goals until late 2025, despite having budgeted for a 2% growth last \u2064year. While some additional revenue is anticipated, it is not expected \u200bto reach the levels originally forecasted.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Spokane County sales tax growth lulls at 1% after averaging 4% for over 20 years<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1929378\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>(The Center Square)&nbsp;&ndash;&nbsp;The new year is here, but municipalities still need to finish collecting taxes from the last one. Spokane County is no exception, with sales tax revenue still 1.4% behind initial projections.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Municipalities typically collect taxes each quarter, with the most recent data available through October 2024. Randy Bischoff, senior director of Finance &amp; Administration, presented those numbers to the Board of County Commissioners on Monday, detailing some trends.<\/p>\n<p>The December report through October showed that the county&rsquo;s sales tax revenue was 1.4%, or $1.1 million, behind the $79.3 million it anticipated generating by then. The county collected $6.9 million last month, 4.6% more than December 2023, but <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/twitter-to-introduce-subscription-option\/\" title=\"Twitter To Introduce Subscription Option\">annual growth<\/a> is only about 1%.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Bischoff is still waiting on data through the end of the holidays but previously told the board that the county probably won&rsquo;t meet its 2024 goal until the end of 2025. They budgeted a 2% sales tax growth for last year. After only reaching half of that, Bischoff&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecentersquare.com\/washington\/article_d86fc388-6a38-11ef-baae-87a54cd84ca7.html#:~:text=Bischoff%20said%C2%A0%20more%20revenue%20is%20expected%20to%20come%20in%2C%20but%20not%20to%20the%20level%20that%20the%20county%20anticipated.%20Instead%2C%20he%20said%20officials%20should%20expect%20to%20meet%20that%202%25%20growth%20by%20the%20end%20of%202025%2C%20meaning%201%25%20for%20this%20year%20and%20another%201%25%20for%20the%20next%20one.%C2%A0%C2%A0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">budgeted<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;another 1% for 2025.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;December was a very light month for retailers,&rdquo; Bischoff explained. &ldquo;I think we saw a push that moved up the Christmas season into October and November, so I expect we&rsquo;ll probably still see a good November, and then I think we&rsquo;ll see a lighter-than-normal December.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Jason Metcalf, a management and budget analyst, said Spokane County averaged a 4% sales tax growth from 2000 to 2023, but it could take some time to reach that again. Still, he argued that consumer optimism is high, meaning people feel their financial position could soon improve.<\/p>\n<p>However, according to The Conference Board, that&rsquo;s not the case. The nonprofit research firm&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecentersquare.com\/national\/article_82a53c58-7a9b-11ef-b52a-2ffd1d64f59c.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tracks<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;a Consumer Confidence Index, or&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.conference-board.org\/topics\/consumer-confidence\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CCI<\/a><\/strong>, which reflects feelings about spending and future economic conditions. Last month, after a steady October and November, the CCI&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/consumer-confidence-conference-board-spending-economy-23d38ac97944714acfdcf74f5f456447\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">dropped<\/a><\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The recent rebound in consumer confidence was not sustained in December as the Index dropped back to the middle of the range that has prevailed over the past two years,&rdquo; Chief Economist Dana M. Peterson wrote in a&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/us-consumer-confidence-pulled-back-in-december-302338372.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">press release<\/a><\/strong>. &ldquo;Compared to [November], consumers in December were substantially less optimistic about future business conditions and incomes.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Metcalf provided data that split the tax revenue into three categories: retail trade rose by 1% year-over-year, construction dipped by 4%, and accommodations &amp; food services followed suit.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>He said increased housing costs reduce people&rsquo;s spending capacity on taxable goods, causing them to spend &ldquo;more cautiously&rdquo; as many large employers continue layoffs into 2025. However, the Federal Reserve also anticipates reducing rates this year, which could spur spending.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;One thing that&rsquo;s good for Spokane in particular is U-Haul just came out with a list of the top move-to areas,&rdquo; Metcalf said. &ldquo;We ranked&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/Articles\/About\/U-Haul-Growth-Metros-And-Cities-Of-2024-Dallas-Top-Metro-for-IN-Migration-33084\/#:~:text=24.-,Spokane%2C%20WA,-25.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">24th<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;for metro areas, which is really good unless the U-Hauls are just getting stolen here, and they can&rsquo;t return them.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1929378\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1929378\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Spokane County&#8217;s sales tax growth slows to 1%, down from a 20-year average of 4%<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2387288,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/AP24014160623172-1-1024x683.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[37423,36854,48042,33919,32076],"class_list":["post-2387287","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-economic-trends","tag-local-news","tag-sales-tax-growth","tag-spokane-county","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/AP24014160623172-1-1024x683.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2387287","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2387287"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2387287\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2387291,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2387287\/revisions\/2387291"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2387288"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2387287"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2387287"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2387287"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}