By BJ Austin, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-878467.mp3
Dallas, TX –
North Texas cities are hoping 2010 is a better year for sales tax revenue.
Dallas sales tax revenue was down more than 9%, according to the latest figures from the state comptroller's office. Fort Worth showed an 8% drop.
In Farmers Branch, city leaders are ramping up a campaign to reverse a 7% dip in sales tax revenue. It's called "Buy the Branch." The city's Tom Bryson says the new program encourages Farmers Branch residents to shop locally. He says the city's working on a retail database to make that easier.
Bryson: It's going to help folks be able to navigate more what is located where in the city, and how they can go about keeping their sales tax dollars here at home to further benefit their city, their services, their programs, their parks and their facilities.
Bryson says boosting sales tax revenue for the city is an important way to keep the property tax rate low.