WPCNR QUILL & EYESHADE. By John F. Bailey. November 16,2009: October showed White Plains retail sales subject to state sales tax demonstrate positive growth over 2008 numbers for the first time in five months.

April 2009 was the last month White Plains showed a year-to-year increase in the sales tax receipts from 2008-2009. This, from figures furnished WPCNR by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance this morning.

White Plains sales tax receipts last month hit $4,582,639.22, which is the highest total  in a year, and up $757,434.85 over October 2008  when White Plains generated $3,825,204.37.

This is an increase of  19.8%, year-to-year. Unless this is a reflection of the effects of sales by retailers, it positions White Plains for a strong second quarter. Should White Plains meet last year’s figures for the balance of the year ($25.7 Million, Nov through June),  the city will generate $40.2 Million in sales tax.

On the county side of the ledger, the county is 11.5% down in sales tax receipts having accumulated $344 Million ($343,982,021.52) in sales taxes through the first ten months of 2009 compared to $389 Million ($388,848,463.99) through the first 10 months of 2008, a decline of 11.5% translating into a $44.9 Million shortfall.

This morning, outgoing County Executive Andrew Spano presented a 2010 Budget calling for a 4.8% tax hike, part of which is to make up for the soft sales tax collections. That hike will hit White Plains harder, increasing your White Plains County Property Tax an estimated 15% based on what last year's 2% tax hike which lifted White Plains county property tax to 8%