Retail Sales Tax Revenue Is Up In Yukon

By Colleen Chen, NEWS 9

YUKON, OK -- While tax revenues continue to decline for many cities in Oklahoma, Yukon is bucking that trend.

Oklahoma City leaders have been watching the city's retail sales tax revenue drop each month for the last nine months.  Tulsa is enduring a 14 percent drop compared to this time last year, and Edmond's numbers are down 13 percent. 

But, it's a different story in Yukon. Sales tax revenues are up about 8 percent compared to the previous year. City leaders credit the increase to the opening of 15 new chain stores including Target, Rue 21, Louie's, and PetSmart. 

"I think we're like the up and coming little kid on the block," said Rick Opitz with the Yukon Chamber of Commerce.

"It used to be that people from Western Oklahoma would just pass right by us to get shopping done in Oklahoma City.  Even people from Yukon would leave and spend money in Oklahoma City instead because we didn't have enough options.  That's different now.  We're now the bright spot in Oklahoma."

Consumers like Amy Snow also are pleased to see the new business as well.   She's lived in Yukon all her life, and said she's spent most of it traveling to Oklahoma City to shop.

More importantly to Snow is now her tax dollars are now staying in her hometown.

"It's nice for our schools and everyone to keep the money right here in Yukon," Snow said.

While retail numbers are up in comparison to other areas of the metro, Yukon isn't immune from tough times.  The city manager said a rainy summer led to a decrease in water utility revenues.  He's keeping a close eye on the general fund, and says leaders are making conservative choices, including furloughs, as a part of the budget planning process.