The City of Joplin surprisingly ends their fiscal year on a high note

The city of Joplin’s fiscal year ended on October 31 and it ended with a surprise.

Earlier in the year it looked as though the city would see a dire end of year do to city and state stay-at-home orders. City officials even cut $2.5 million off of the city budget thinking the coronavirus would affect sales tax numbers.

Large gains in new home construction and home improvements helped overcome losses at mall stores, entertainment and hotels and motels. Plus, a surprising uptick in restaurant sales made possible by delivery services and curbside pickup as businesses adapted to the situation.

The city actually ended the year 1.4% higher than expected at $15.1 million up from $14.9 the previous year.