Terrebonne business tax collections get boost

Gross tax and licensing revenue that totaled more than $7.7 million during March 2011 offered an 11 percent boost from the same month one year earlier and marked a 4 percent increase from February in Terrebonne Parish.

Keeping in mind that Mardi Gras, which typically stabilizes local economic activity during the mid winter months, took place in March this year, observers contend the sales tax, motel tax and licensing activity was in line with what was expected.

While sales tax collections of $7.6 million marked a noticeable improvement from the $6.9 million generated in March 2010, hotel tax collections dropped from more than $82,000 one year earlier to more than $77,000 during March of this year.

During the first two months of 2011, tax increases were posted in all categories. No reason was offered for the drop in hotel revenue during March.

Analysts contend that while it is worth noting the improvements in collected revenue, retail and recreational taxes, business activity is essentially getting back to normal following several years of damaging hurricane activity and an economic slowdown one year ago along with the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster.