Steamboat Pilot & Today

January was only so-so when it came to sales tax revenues in Hayden, but the town has seen some big revenue increases this budget year.

"January is historically the biggest tax revenue month," Hayden Town Manager Russ Martin said. "That is when the most traveling is done, and a majority of the money comes from the airport."

Although Hayden officials would not disclose how much particular businesses collected in sales tax revenue, they said business at Yampa Valley Regional Airport accounted for about 65 percent of the town's sales tax revenues in January. Sales tax generators include the airport's restaurant, bar, gift shop, jet fuel sales and car rentals.

Sales tax revenue accounts for about half of Hayden's annual budget, excluding grant money.

For 2006, the town budgeted $840,000 in sales tax revenue -- a 4 percent increase and $24,000 more than last year.

Sales tax revenues from January represent about one-seventh of the town's total budgeted sales tax revenues. The revenue is collected by the state and is not received by the town until about two months later. November's sales tax revenues are received in January and are part of the next year's budget.

January's revenues were up 2 percent over the past year's totals, but that does not worry town officials, who say Hayden is likely to reach a $24,000 increase this year.

"We were really surprised -- it was up 17 percent in December," town Treasurer Lisa Dowling said.

Hayden generated $96,015 in sales tax revenue in December -- about $14,000 more than the previous December.

November's revenues, which are counted as part of this year's budget, increased by 14 percent.