The August distribution of sales tax collections by the Oklahoma Tax Commission, primarily representing local tax receipts from June business, show declines in four metro area cities when compared to the same month last year. Those cities include Oklahoma City, Edmond, Midwest City and Chickasha.

Oklahoma City's August 2009 distribution was $27,800,779, compared to $29,433,742 in August 2008, representing a 5.5-percent drop. This is the sixth consecutive decline for Oklahoma City.

Edmond experienced a 1.5-percent decline; Midwest City had a 1.1-percent decline and Chickasha, a 5-percent decline.

Norman continues to see increases in year-over-year percent change, however, the sales tax rate in Norman was 3 percent in 2008, and it is 3.5 percent this year. The city received $4,234,535 this month, an increase of 15.7 percent over the same month last year.

Moore received $1,876,055 this month, a 1.5-percent increase over the same month last year; and Guthrie received $328,216, a 7.3-percent increase over the same month last year.