Increase In Tulsa Sales Tax Credited To NCAA Tourney

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, Oklahoma -- The NCAA tournament contributed to a 3.14 percent increase in Tulsa sales tax revenue, Mayor Dewey Bartlett announced Friday. Tulsa's check for mid-March to mid-April of 2011 tallied $17,206,677.

That's up from $16,682,891 for the same time period in 2010 and is 11.58 percent above budget estimates.

"We saw a gain for the month that in part is likely attributable to the Round 2 and 3 NCAA games being held at the BOK Center," said Mayor Dewey Bartlett. 

"Better yet, we will increase our chances of being considered to host future NCAA championship events. Tulsa is in a period of economic recovery and we are thankful our resources have improved so we can invest in our city again," Bartlett said.

The City of Tulsa has received $183,456,019 so far this year in sales tax revenues, 4.94 percent above budget estimates.

Use taxes received in May total $1,586,507, which is 16.89 percent higher than the same period last year and 23.85 percent above budget estimates. For the year-to-date, use tax collections total $16,009,862, which is 9.58 percent ahead of last year and 4.27 percent above budget estimates.