While recent articles in our newspapers indicate the city is doing very well on sale tax revenue, this report does not paint as bright a picture. It shows that Marshall collects less sales tax per capita than any of the cities around us.

As I understand it -- sales tax revenue is what largely funds the city, and impacts services available to the citizens

In reviewing the data, it shows there is a lot of retail bleed from Marshall -- local people and businesses shopping outside of Marshall. It is interesting to note that Jefferson should be very susceptible to retail bleed with Walmart and Lowes down the highway, yet their per capita sales tax is right in the middle. One can argue that Jefferson’s position is attributable to Jefferson's strong focus on tourism, and showcases the significance of recruiting these out of town dollars.

Kilgore's ranking at the top of the list is due to their strong business to business trade that they have established, primarily in the oil field sector.

I have been told that Marshall’s currently has no economic development program, other than MainStreet, that is focused on increasing sales tax revenues.

This data tells me that all is not well in Marshall. We need a comprehensive, strategic economic development plan - one that will enable Marshall to have the best economic development program in the state. Why would we want anything less?

Have I missed something? I encourage someone to submit a signed article pointing out why I am wrong.

Ron Munden

Click below to see the report.