Union Financial Officer Heather Keith said sales taxes collected are down $123,349 from this tine last year. Thus far, $2,380,005 has been collected compared to $2,503,355 last year.

She noted that the past two months taxes collected have increased compared to last year during the same time period.

"I hope it is because they are out spending more money and more people are staying local to make purchases instead of going into St. Louis as they have in the past," said Keith.

The city collects a one-half-cent sales tax for street construction and maintenance; two one-quarter-cent sales taxes for water and sewer operations and maintenance; and a 1-cent tax for general revenue.

Within the city limits there is a total of 7.975 cents per $1 general sales tax collected, including 4.442 cents collected by the state and 1.75 cents collected by Franklin County.

Additionally there are two community development districts (CID) in Union where an additional 1 cent sales tax is collected.

A CID is a separate political subdivision under Missouri law governed by a board of directors. The purpose of the district is to generate tax revenue for infrastructure improvements.

The first CID in Union was established to fund infrastructure work at the Walgreens store.

The district is located at East Main and Highway 47 and includes McDonald's restaurant, Phillips 66 gas station, Super 8 Motel, Movie Gallery and Walgreens.

The second CID was established in 2007 where QuikTrip and the Jack in the Box restaurant are located.

Sales tax figures are public records and Keith supplied them to The Missourian following instruction by Mayor Mike Livengood during a special board of aldermen meeting Monday.

While discussing the proposed city budget and debating employee raises, Alderman Bill Isgriggs said the figures were "way down" compared to last year's numbers.

"I think at this particular time no raises should be given because of the way the economy is," Isgriggs said.

That is when Livengood and Keith informed the board that taxes have not decreased much compared to last year.

"Our sales tax is not down," Livengood remarked.

"In the past two months they have actually gone up," added Keith. Alderman Dale Schmuke added that residents will not be asked to fund employee raises with a sales tax increase.

The board agreed to a 2 percent employee raise and an additional 1 percent raise for some employees based on merit. The final budget has not yet been approved.

The employee raise passed with a 6-2 vote. Aldermen Isgriggs and Jim Albrecht voted against the raises.