UPDATED: Montgomery collects almost 15% more sales tax revenue in April 2020 than in April 2019

Originally posted 1:29 p.m., June 12. Updated 1:02 p.m., June 15 with Richard Tramm's comment.

Despite the closing of nonessential businesses, the city of Montgomery collected about 15% more sales tax revenue in April 2020 than in 2019.

Sales tax revenue generated in Montgomery in April totaled $219,615.98, according to numbers released June 10 by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. That figure represents a 14.82% increase compared to the city's $191,260.13 revenue from April 2019.

So far, the city has collected $1.07 million in sales tax revenue this year, while last year at this time, it had collected $1.22 million, which represents a 12.82% decrease.

City officials have said they are not nervous about potential revenue losses during the coronavirus pandemic, having previously predicted less than a 30% loss in revenue. City Administrator Richard Tramm said although sales tax is up since 2019, it is a smaller increase than seen in previous months.

"We are looking toward the future with cautious optimism as local businesses are moving forward with reopening," Tramm said in an email.