Sales tax receipt numbers released the end of last week show the fifth month in a row the city of Manhattan numbers are down. The $863,526 dollars collected in July is also the lowest collected in Manhattan the last four years. Last year the number was $922,875 and the lowest before that was in 2015 at $870,536. The budget impact is negative $36,231 for the month, bringing the total for the year to negative $316,611 when compared to what had been budgeted by the city.
Manhattan Finance Director Bernie Hayen indicated late Friday no explanation was readily evident and he was sorry to end the week on a sour note.
There has been concern expressed by area officials in recent months of the effect of on-line sales to local brick and mortar stores.