People spending money in Abbeville based on sales tax collection

Sales tax collection in Abbeville has been steady for the last two years; so, when there is a spike in collection, it is a reason to celebrate.
Sales tax collection in Abbeville fluctuates one or two percent up or down over the years. Abbeville Mayor Mark Piazza makes it a habit to look at the monthly sales tax report that is issued by the Vermilion Parish School Board.
So, when he received the month of December’s sale tax report recently, something got his attention. He saw the total in collection of $356,700 for the month of December. After 12 years of being mayor in Abbeville, the amount of $356,700 in collection is large. In fact, after doing research and asking Donna Baudoin, the director of revenue for the city, to check if the city ever had a month where it collected $356,700 of sales tax, the mayor learned it is the largest amount of ever collected.
Baudoin’s research showed last year’s December collection of $328,600 was the previous high mark until recently.
Normally, the best months for Abbeville in sales tax collections are the month of December (Christmas) and August (back to school shopping).
“This is good news for Abbeville,” said Piazza about the 8 percent increase in collections. “It reflects Christmas sales in Abbeville. Maybe more people shopped locally in the city than going to Lafayette.”
The second largest city in Vermilion Parish did not have positive news as did Abbeville. Kaplan had a 5 percent ($3,000) decrease in collection for December of 2014. The city collected $59,500.
Erath’s collection remained the same as a year ago at $27,700, while Delcambre showed positive numbers with an increase of 20 percent (from $16,500 to $19,800).
Gueydan also had great news in sales tax collection with a 40 percent increase. The town jumped from $16,400 to $23,100 in collections.
Maurice saw a two percent increase from $68,900 to $70,300.