Lake-area taxing entities rely on sales tax revenue to shape their budgets, and if recent numbers are any indication it could be a pretty good year around the Lake.

Lake-area taxing entities rely on sales tax revenue to shape their budgets, and if recent numbers are any indication it could be a pretty good year around the Lake.

Fiscal year and third-quarter sales tax data shows that communities, counties and the Tri-County Lodging Association are having a pretty good year. The numbers reflect an improving local economy after suffering through several years of retail sales stagnation.

"This is the best lodging tax collection year that the TCLA has had in the past nine years," TCLA Administrator Jim Divincen boasted.

Lodging tax collections for the TCLA's fiscal year ending June 30 (July 1, 2015, through June 30, 2016) finished ahead of last year by 4.62 percent, totaling $1,591,453.69.

The TCLA derives its lodging tax revenue from Camden, Miller and Morgan counties, and two of three three showed an increase. Camden County Lodging tax increased 6.17 percent to $1,414,174; Morgan County increased 1.48 percent to $48,043; and Miller County actually had a decrease of 8.94 percent to $129,235.

Divincen said several factors contributed to the improved numbers.

•The TCLA Advisory Board uses the “Best Recreational Lake in the Nation” recognition in its advertising messaging which has generated new visitors to the Lake.

•The TCLA Board continues to incorporate advertising effectiveness research results into future advertising plans to ensure the highest Return on Investment efficiency of each tax dollar.

•The Advisory Board stays on the leading edge of online technology and promotional activities such as search engine marketing, content marketing, digital re-targeting campaigns and social media engagement.

•The Lake of the Ozarks has experienced above average weather this past year.

•The Board has a strong financial partnership with the counties and city of Osage Beach.

"This unified partnership has enabled the TCLA Advisory Board to seek new advertising options including increased digital billboard exposure in St. Louis and Kansas City, and through Major League’s largest radio network with Cardinals baseball," Divincen explained.

Counties

All three counties that serve the lake saw increases in sales tax revenue.

Camden, Miller and Morgan counties finished ahead of Fiscal Year 2015 by an average of 3.75 percent. Sales tax revenue for all three counties is reported at $1.4 billion for FY2016. That's up $50,661,284 from FY2015.

Morgan County led the way with a 5.35 percent increase, followed by Miller at 3.69 percent and Camden at 3.34 percent. Morgan County collected $223,604,067 for FY 2016, Miller County collected $380,676,572 and Camden County $796,932,483.

The TCLA and the Missouri Division of Tourism use this information as one of the primary measuring tools of the health of our economy in the three counties, according to Divincen.

Camden County Presiding Commissioner Greg Hasty offered his observation.

"This is representative of a trend of the last five years. Our economy continues to improve. The new projects starting in Camden County are an indication that we are recovering from the recession," he said.

Cities

All six of the communities directly tied to the Lake reported increases in sales tax for the first three quarters of the year, ranging from 2 percent in Osage Beach to 11.75 percent in the Village of Four Seasons.

Lake-area counties and the TCLA are on a Fiscal year July-June, while cities are on a calendar year.

Osage Beach reported a year-to-date total of $3,490,556, up $68,442 from the 2015 YTD of $3,422,114, or 2 percent.

Lake Ozark reported YTD totals of $617,645, up $22,031 from the 2015 YTD of $595,614, or 3.69 percent.

Camdenton reported YTD totals of $1,637,200, up $84,049 from 2015 YTD $1,553,151, or 5.41 percent.

Laurie reported YTD totals of $263,394, up $15,007 from the 2015 YTD of $248,387, or 6.04 percent.

Sunrise Beach reported YTD totals of $203,839, up $13,275 from the 2015 YTD of $190,564, or 6.9 percent.

Village of Four Seasons reported YTD of $105,382, up $11,082 from the 2015 YTD of $94,300, or 11.75 percent. (Officials noted the significant jump reflects the Lodge of Four Seasons under construction last year during the tourist season, and the Lodge being annexed into the Village last year).