DOLLAR GENERAL store in Lyford is generating big sales tax dollars to city of Lyford. Smaller towns like Raymondville and Lyford are showing healthy increases in sales tax revenue, according to figures released by the state’s comptroller office.

The city of Raymondville shows an increase of 16.25 percent for the month of November, compared to the same period a year ago.

Lyford had an increase of 47.49 percent in November 2011, compared to November 2010.

The November figures are the last ones available and were released earlier this month by the comptroller’s office.

Raymondville City Manager Eleazar Garcia Jr. attributes the healthy rebate to a number of factors.

He said the work going on at Valley Telephone, the construction jobs in the city and the people working for the wind farms have something to do with the increase in economic activity.

“Other than that,” he said, “ I can’t put a finger on a particular reason for such an increase.”

Garcia said the last rebate reflects the month of November because they have until the 20th of the following month to send a report to the state.

He said the city keeps a record of sales tax comparisons using its fiscal year from October to September, whereas the comptroller’s office uses a calender year.

Garcia said the 16.25 percent increase reported by the state for November reflect their own figures.

Lyford Mayor Henry De La Paz said the city is having robust sales tax rebates because of the new businesses they have there.

He said Dollar General has generated a lot activity since it came to town in 2010.

De La Paz said the store sales have been surpassing the company’s expectations by big numbers.

“In fact,” he said, “we were told it was the number one store for several months in a row.”

De la Paz said Tucker’s Restaurant and Doghouse Drive Thru are also helping push the sales tax increases.

“I have never seen a 47 percent increase in the three years I have been in office,” he said. “We will keep going up and I won’t be surprised if we get an increase of 50 percent pretty soon.” tony@raymondvillechroniclenews.com