County revenues holding strong

No major impact from COVID-19 pandemic yet, says Treasurer

By THE TIMES NEWS STAFF

news@theeveningtimes.com

Preparation was key according to County Treasurer Matt Thompson. He presented the monthly _nancial report during the June Quorum Court meeting. The numbers update included receipts through May.

“The county outlook is really excellent given the COVID situation,” said Thompson.

Account balances were up over last year by $2,000,000. Thompson said it was in part because the county tightened its belt early in the pandemic response. “ W e ’ v e done a very good job for what could be ahead, by everybody not spending unnecessary money these last few months,” said Thompson.

Monthly revenues jumped up 6.6 percent year over year. The revenue stream for the year reported higher.

“For the year we are up 10.4 percent through the _rst _ve months which is amazing,” said Thompson.”That is a direct reection of how good the times were going into COVID and the direct result is our account balances being higher than last year.”

The county did have some setbacks, most notably the governor ordering restaurants and Southland Casino and Racing shuttered temporarily to atten the coronavirus curve.

“At the end of this month we will receive April’s sales tax collections which will be a signi_cant drop if I had to guess as well,” said Thompson. “The hit will be in April because the restaurants being closed.”

The treasurer said the county was braced for the pandemic driven numbers in the upcoming monthly report cycle.

“We are well prepared,” said Thompson. “At this point we are up signi_cantly and frozen (referable) spending, expenses are in line, revenues are up, so all is well.”

THOMPSON