Hastings Tribune Taxable sales figures for January 2000 in Tribland took a plunge from 1999's January numbers. Thayer County had the biggest drop, falling 8.3 percent from January 1999's taxable sales. Other area counties saw similar drops. Hastings' taxable sales dropped 0.2 percent from 1999's January figures. The city generates revenue from taxable sales through a 1.5 percent city sales tax.
Sales taxes are by far the largest revenue source for the city's general fund.
The sales tax first was implemented at 1 percent in January 1990 to help alleviate property taxes. In April 1999, Hastings voters decided to add an extra one-half cent sales tax to pay for the city's new police station. Higher taxable sales can lead to lower property taxes and more money for the communities to work with to supply services, including everything from public safety to library services.