Wharton’s push to shop local is paying off as the city saw a major boost in August sales tax rebates. Wharton collected over $289,000, up 27% from last year, helping balance next year’s budget after months of flat returns. El Campo and East Bernard weren’t as lucky. El Campo’s rebate dropped 1.5%, and East Bernard saw a 7% decline. Countywide, rural Wharton areas gained nearly 11%, beating the state average. Officials in El Campo and East Bernard are urging residents to shop local to avoid more tax hikes.