VIENNA — Maries County Treasurer Rhonda Slone said the county’s sales tax revenues continue to be about 16 to17 percent more this year compared to the same period of time last year. The increase indicates strong local shopping.

Slone recently gave the Maries County Commission the sales tax information, commenting the COVID-19 pandemic did not impact the county as much as other larger towns and cities. The commissioners said Maries County does not have a lot of retail stores such as a city the size of Rolla. Because of the pandemic, county residents were staying close to home, avoiding crowds in large stores, and shopping locally.

Western District Commissioner Ed Fagre said there are always a lot of people in the grocery store.

Eastern District Commissioner Doug Drewel said the Dollar General in Vichy opened at an opportune time as it is always busy. Fagre said the Dollar General at Meta also is busy all the time.

County Clerk Rhonda Rodgers said Belle has a Dollar General and is slated to get a combination Dollar Tree and Family Dollar store.

In March one of the county’s three half-cent sales taxes generated revenue of $30,528.50, which is more than last year’s total in March when it was $29,909.36. The first three months of 2021 each surpassed last year’s sales tax revenues. The 2021 total for the first quarter is $78,899.53 compared to the 2020 first quarter total of $65,644.47, a 16 percent increase.

Use tax revenue remains steady as people have become used to shopping on the internet. During the first quarter, use tax revenue totaled $40,950.16. In 2020 it was slightly higher at $41,431.67.

On April 6 Vienna voters approved a half-cent sales tax increase for public safety, which is anticipated to bring in an additional $55,000 to $59,000 annually when collection begins in July 2021. This will increase Vienna’s sales tax to 8.391 percent.

Slone gave sales tax numbers from throughout the county. Maries County’s rate is 5.891 percent. The county’s sales tax rate in the Maries-Osage Ambulance District and the St. James Ambulance District is 6.391 percent. The sales tax rate in Argyle is 7.391 percent, in Belle it’s 7.891 percent, Brinktown 6.391 percent, High Gate 5.891 percent,  and Vichy 5.891 percent.