Menifee's Sales Tax Revenue Continues to Climb

This information and other statistics about Menifee's sales tax revenue will be available on the city's website.

Menifee's growth as both a city and a potentially strong economic center are reflected in the city's latest sales tax revenue figures.

Statistics released by the city this week show that sales tax revenue for the first quarter of 2015 increased 14.7 percent over the same quarter in 2014. Gross receipts for the first quarter were more than $1.59 million for a 20.1 percent increase; the 14.7 figure reported is adjusted for reporting errors and abnormalities, according to a city news release.

The greatest first quarter increase over a year ago came in the category of building and construction, where sales tax revenue nearly doubled to about $300,000 and made up 19 percent of the city's first quarter 2015 sales tax revenue. That share is second only to the consumer goods category, where sales tax made up 27 percent of the total revenue amount.

"As you know, there is construction going on across the city, and that category (building and construction) includes construction items with a point of sale in the City of Menifee," said Jeff Wyman (left), the city's economic development director.

Three of the city's top 25 producers of sales tax revenue are Grove Lumber and Building Supplies, located on Watson Road in the Romoland community; Euramax International, a manufacturer of building products located on Highway 74 in the Sun City community; and Lowes, located in Countryside Marketplace.

Sales tax revenue from dining and quick service restaurants made up 14 percent of the first quarter revenue and will continue to increase with the arrival of more dining establishments. The increase in building and construction sales tax revenue may continue to lead the way, however, because of several major projects within the city, including:

-- Menifee Town Center, a 172-acre complex to be built by Regent Properties on Newport Road just west of Haun Road. It will be anchored by a Krikorian Theater complex including 12-screen theater, 16-lane bowling alley, restaurant and sports bar. The project was announced in May 2014, but so far only signage and a signature oak tree on the center access road have placed. Wyman said he has not yet received a timeline from the developer for that project.

-- Town Center Marketplace, a 14.4-acre retail development on the southwest corner of Newport Road and Haun Road. The Rich Development Company project is scheduled to include 13 retail shops and restaurants. Grading has begun, and Wyman said the developer is working toward a first quarter 2016 opening.

-- Menifee Lakes Plaza, to be built between Antelope Road and Interstate 215, north of Newport Road. The developer, MGMD Inc./Muirfield Properties, has plans for a hotel, fitness center, retail shops and a car wash. Wyman said construction is expected to begin later this year for an opening of at least some retail shops in 2016. "It is my understanding that a hotel operator has not been identified at this time," he said.

-- A Stater Bros. market, to be built on the southeast corner of Newport Road and Menifee Road. It would be located across the street from the newly opened ARCO gas station and AM/PM minimart. There is not a developer timeline for the Stater Bros. market yet, but Wyman said "it is my hope it will open in early 2016."

-- Heritage Square, a 15-acre shopping center to be built by the Rancon Group on the northwest corner of Menifee Road and McCall Boulevard. There still is no timetable for this project, which has been on the books since 2007 and was revived with an announcement in 2014.

Approximately 1 percent of every dollar spent in Menifee goes to the city to fund important services such as public safety and transportation. An increase in those funds will be vital to Menifee, where the size of the police force is below county guidelines and where several upcoming road projects depend in part on tax dollars.

Although it is difficult to project how much additional sales tax revenue these projects will eventually bring to the city and how soon, Wyman stressed the importance of those eventual funds in helping build out Menifee in other areas.

"It is anticipated to be a welcomed increase for the city, especially since sales tax revenue helps to pay for city essential services, such as public safety and needed infrastructure projects," Wyman said.