As the number of hours of daylight is increasing, so, too, is Keene's percentage of sales tax revenue.
The city received $34,302 in sales tax revenue in April, an increase of 11.47 percent over the $30,772 it received in April 2011, according to figures released last week by State Comptroller Susan Combs.
“I like that,” City Administrator Bill Guinn said. “That's excellent news. I believe that's the biggest increase we've seen this year and I hope it continues.”
For the calendar year, Keene is up 4.95 percent with sales tax revenue of $139,396, an increase of $6,581 over the amount it received at this time last year, Combs' figures said.
The sales tax figures represent monthly sales made in February, collected and counted in March and distributed in April.
All of Keene's neighbors recorded an increase for April allocations, according to Combs' figures.
Alvarado was up 46 percent with sales tax revenue of $109,716, Burleson had a 43 percent increase with $1,137,441, and Cleburne was up 8 percent with an allocation of $650,819.
Joshua recorded a 0.17 percent increase with sales tax reveune of  $91,705.
“The latest sales tax revenue numbers mark a continuation of recent trends we have seen in sales tax receipts,” Combs said. “Strong collections continued in oil and gas-related sectors, while growth in revenue from the retail sector and restaurants also accelerated.”
Statewide, Combs sent Texas cities $321.8 million in sales tax revenue in April, an increase of 15 percent over April 2011, figures from her office said. For the calendar year, statewide sales tax revenue is up 9 percent, Combs' office said.
The May sales tax revenue information will be released  about May 9.