Great news for El Campo residents! Officials are urging people to keep shopping to avoid a tax hike. The July sales tax rebate hit a record $612,674, up 25.85% from last year. These funds will help make up for earlier shortfalls and might even allow the city to purchase equipment initially removed from next year’s budget. With this positive trend, the proposed tax rate increase for next year could be reduced. The city council anticipated a two- to three-cent tax hike per $100 to cover staff raises. Each penny of tax generates between $70,000 and $80,000, depending on property evaluations.