The City of Greenville and Butler County have seen an increase in sales tax revenue.

Local officials contribute the rise to a number of factors, including an increase in the cost of goods.

“We are seeing an increase in sales tax revenue, and I think that has to do with a combination of things,” Greenville Mayor Dexter McLendon said. “The economy is beginning to turn some, and businesses like Hwashin, Hysco, Coastal (Forest Products) and CorStone hiring people makes a difference. But if we are really honest, part of the reason we’re seeing an increase in the sales tax revenue is that the cost of goods is so much higher. As cost goes up, the percentage we receive goes up.”

The City of Greenville’s sales tax revenue from 2011 shows an increase of approximately $74,000 from 2010. In 2011, the city received $5,979,037.08 in sales tax revenue.

The highest revenue month for the city was January of 2011 when $583,300.48 in sales tax was reported. The lowest month came in February when the city reported $450,354.27.

The 2011 total was an increase of approximately $249,000 from 2009.

Butler County also saw an increase.

In 2010, the county received $870,725 in sales tax revenue. In 2011, it received $911,167. That’s an increase of $40,442.

Like McLendon, Butler County Administrator Diane Kilpatrick believes the increase is based largely on the rising price of goods.

“I believe that the 5 percent increase over the prior year was due largely to the cost of the goods going up, not necessarily that there was more spending,” she said.

The highest revenue month reported by the county was September of 2011 when $144,897.11 was collected. However, that total includes revenue from October.

“The auditors require that we recognize any revenues that we receive after September 30 each year in the old year if that revenue was for the prior year,” Kilpatrick said.

The lowest month was November when $70,530.95 was reported.