If Town Square felt busier than usual this summer, the numbers agree. The Town of Jackson finished the season with just over $1 million more in sales and lodging tax revenue than it had projected, mostly from June, July and August collections. That matters because sales taxes fund roughly 75% of the town’s budget, according to Town Manager Tyler Sinclair. Councilor Jonathan Schechter, an economist, saw it coming. During budget talks he pointed to advance visitor registration data and spending patterns as signs that the town’s usual conservative estimates would come in low.
Just over $900,000 of the extra revenue goes to the town’s general fund, which pays for most town services. It could help narrow the $1.7 million deficit councilors approved in June and cover costs that have come up since. On Oct. 19 the council approved about $415,000 in additional general fund spending, including more than $240,000 for START, which lost $1.5 million in federal funding this year. Town and county leaders had already committed $600,000 to the transit system and asked START to close most of the remaining gap through service cuts and fare increases. Mayor Arne Jorgensen said he would have preferred drawing more from the general fund to keep bus service at the level the community relies on.
Summer is the town’s biggest collection season, but the year isn’t over yet. Sinclair said the surplus gives Jackson a cushion if winter spending comes in softer than expected, noting it’s “always good to have a little extra money in the bank.” For residents, homeowners and business owners alike, it’s a reminder of how closely our local services are tied to a strong visitor economy.
Source: Jackson Hole News&Guide
