Fort Smith sales tax revenue up in June report, first month with Bass Pro Shops sales - Talk Business & Politics
The impact of the new Bass Pro Shops site in Fort Smith is likely evident in the city’s June sales tax report, which reflects May transactions. Overall, the city’s 1% sales tax revenue in the June report was. . .
The impact of the new Bass Pro Shops site in Fort Smith is likely evident in the city’s June sales tax report, which reflects May transactions. Overall, the city’s 1% sales tax revenue in the June report was up 0. 4% and the city’s portion of the Sebastian County tax was up 1. 6%. According to the city’s sales tax report posted Tuesday (July 28), the city’s portion of the countywide tax totaled $2. 109 million, 1. 6% more than the $2. 076 million in the June 2025 report. The revenue was 0. 55% above the budget estimate. The city’s share of the countywide tax provides money for the city’s general fund budget, with much of that budget paying for police, fire and other essential city services. In the first six reporting months of the year, the countywide tax has generated $12. 526 million, up 4. 1% compared with $12. 035 million collected during the same period of 2025. The city’s 1% tax, which now partially funds federally-mandated sewer system work in addition to street, bridge and drainage projects, was $2. 523 million in the June report, up 0. 4% compared with May 2025 and 0. 6% below the budget estimate. In the first six reporting months of the year, the 1% tax has generated $14. 996 million, up 3% compared with $14. 556 million collected during the same period of 2025. The city also collects a second 1% tax, with 62. 5% of the revenue funding consent decree work, 12. 5% supporting the city’s police department, and 25% providing funds for the city’s parks and recreation department. “Sales tax receipts were stable and with some growth compared with receipts in the same month of the prior year, “Andrew Richards, the city’s chief financial officer, noted in the report. “Retail Trade for June 2026, representing 53% of total, was slightly more than the same month in 2025 and 2024, but 2. 34% less than 2023. ”Within the city’s 1% sales tax, revenue in the June report from the sporting goods-hobby and musical instrument subcategory of retail trade was $135,274, up 55% compared with June 2025, up 56% compared with June 2024, and up 53% compared with June 2023. Richards said one can “infer” that sales from the popular Bass Pro Shops store boosted the revenue, but it is uncertain how much of the increase is the result of the popular retail outlet. Bass Pro opened its Fort Smith store in late April, with May being the first full month of sales at the site. The Outpost retail store is off Rogers Avenue and along Interstate 540 where the former Best Buy building was located. The 70,000-square-foot Fort Smith store is the third Bass Pro Shops store in Arkansas. The other two stores are in Rogers and Little Rock. The city issued a $20 million building permit for the store in July 2025. Following are data points in the report provided by Richards. • Total Gross Receipts for June 2026 were more than the same month in 2025 and 2024, but slightly less than 2023. • Accommodation and Food Services (13. 5% of total) continue to grow and were 4. 97% more than June 2025 and even higher than the same month in 2024 and 2023. Accommodation and Food Services, year-to-date, were 5. 27% higher than the prior three-year average. • Wholesale trade (6. 2% of total) was up 2. 8% compared to June 2025. • Manufacturing (4% of total) was down 17. 6% in June 2026 compared to the average of the prior three years. • Rebates+Audits were $185,455, 14. 9% higher than the average for the past three years, resulting in the city’s net receipts being higher in June 2026 compared to 2025 and 2024, trailing June 2023. • Year-to-date results show total growth receipts for 2026 to be higher than the past three years by an average of 1. 24%. PREVIOUS ANNUAL COLLECTION INFOFort Smith 1% sales tax collection for streets and consent decree2025: $29. 513 million2024: $29. 516 million2023: $29. 924 million2022: $28. 65 million2021: $26. 667 million2020: $22. 66 million2019: $21. 73 millionFort Smith portion of 1% countywide sales tax2025: $24. 489 million2024: $24. 493 million2023: $24. 648 million2022: $23. 553 million2021: $21. 49 million2020: $18. 246 million2019: $17. 265 millionRelated