December is always a solid month for business in the city of Sun Valley, and December 2006 was no exception. The city's local option tax report for the month shows a 6 percent increase over the same period last year and a 20 percent increase over December 2004.
According to the Sun Valley-Ketchum Chamber & Visitors Bureau, December 2006 LOT calculations total $128,179. LOT numbers include liquor sales, lodging and retail receipts collected in the city of Sun Valley.
Two of the three receipt totals show growth when compared to December 2005, with liquor sales representing the largest growth, percentage-wise, coming in at $12,218. Liquor was up 21 percent over the previous year and up 44 percent over totals for December 2004.
Retail sales increased as well, showing a 19 percent gain on last year's Christmas season, coming in at $64,902. Retail receipts last year totaled $54,687. Retail receipts were actually higher in December 2003 than they were this year, coming in at $56,304.
Lodging numbers show a 9-percent decrease from last year. Lodging came in at $51,059 this year, compared to $56,143 last December.
Sun Valley collects a 3 percent LOT on lodging, liquor by the drink and retail sales. Construction materials and ski lift tickets are exempt. However, the city will soon discuss potential changes to current rates and revenue sources in a work session on Feb. 14 at 2 p.m. at Sun Valley City Hall. The voter-approved tax is scheduled to expire Dec 31, 2011.
