Summer is always a good time to visit Flagstaff, with triple-digit temperatures in the Valley and the Arizona Cardinals offering a free preview of the upcoming season.
Recently released sales tax figures for the months of August and September indicate year-over-year increases in the amount of tax revenue generated.
This includes a 10 percent increase in the city’s Bed, Board and Beverage tax for the month of August compared to the previous August, according to information released by the city of Flagstaff.
Overall, taxable revenue was up 9 percent for the month of August compared to a year ago and up 2 percent for the month of September.
Heather Ainardi, the marketing and public relations manager for the Flagstaff Convention and Visitors Bureau, said events like the Cardinals football training camp, Route 66 Days and Pickin’ in the Pines helped to bring tourists to Flagstaff.
“August was a very good month,” she said.
The CVB also launched the “Leafometer” on their website this fall, encouraging residents and visitors to go leaf-peeping this year.
City Manager Kevin Burke is optimistic the local building industry has begun to rebound, noting there have been several consecutive months of slight increases in overall revenue.
“It is growing,” he said. “We’ve seen year-over-year growth in contracting.”
He notes overall sales tax revenue for the first three months of the new fiscal year starting July 1 are up by 6 percent.
“Year-to-date looks good,” he said. “We hope the trend will continue.”
Joe Ferguson can be reached at 556-2253 or jferguson@azdailysun.com.
Flagstaff Taxable Sales
2012 vs. 2011
August +9%
September +2%
1st Quarter +6%
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