Sales tax collections and payments were up in the first 10 months of 2008 over the same period last year for Bell County and the city of Temple.

County collections and payments were higher than the city’s, according to the data posted by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.

“We’re doing fine,” said County Judge Jon Burrows. “We haven’t seen any industry show any real signs” of faltering.

Burrows said Bell County’s economy is relatively stable because of the large military presence, among other things.

“The sales tax is the best indicator of what’s going on,” he said.

The city’s rate is 1.5 percent of sales on certain products. The county’s rate is .5 percent.

For both entities, the month for largest collection and payment checks is February - reflecting Christmas sales.

Carroll Wilson