April sales-tax receipts spike 85% year-over-year; board credited new administrator and large payments

District staff reported a sharp month-to-month increase in sales-tax receipts for April, with collections of $5,599,049 — an 85% rise year-over-year.

The board was told the increase reflected two sizable payments from oil-and-gas companies and intensified collections activity by the district’s new sales-tax administrator, Mr. Derek De's, who has been pursuing delinquent accounts. A presenter said some of the April payments reflected long-outstanding delinquencies that the administrator successfully collected.

"One of the things was he had two big payments from two different oil and gas companies," the presenter said, and credited aggressive follow-up on delinquent accounts as an additional factor in the increase.

Board members responded with informal thanks and a brief exchange of appreciation for the tax office’s work. No vote or formal policy change was associated with the report.

Staff indicated they would continue to monitor collections but did not propose any changes to rate or exemption policy.