Taxation numbers show slow growth in state and capital

Thursday, Sept. 25, 1997 | 11:21 a.m.

The state Taxation Department said Wednesday the increase included $1.36 billion in sales for a 7.3 percent boost in the Las Vegas area.

But in 10 of the state's 17 counties, including Washoe County encompassing Reno, lower taxable sales totals were reported.

Washoe County sales fell by 0.5 percent during the month as businesses there sold goods valued at $352 million.

In setting state government spending for 1997-99, the state Economic Forum had anticipated sales would increase by about 8.5 percent a year.

The lower-than-anticipated sales were attributed to a 10.9 percent decline in automotive sales and retail sales drops through much of the state outside of Clark County.

Taxation Director Michael Pitlock said he wasn't overly concerned about the small rate of increase. It follows June, where retail sales were up by 4.5 percent from a year earlier.

"Auto sales are a major component, and when you have that big of a drop it pulls the whole state down," Pitlock said, adding that he still expects sales for the fiscal year will rebound to the 8 percent to 9 percent range.

Retail sales are important to state officials because about 40 percent of the revenue to operate state government comes from sales taxes.

Pitlock also said the months in which Nevada businesses consistently reported double-digit increases may become rarer, but he sees no signs of a recession.

Elsewhere in Nevada, sales were down 4.9 percent in Elko County, up 8.2 percent in Churchill County, down 4 percent in Douglas County, up 3.9 percent in Carson City, down 6.1 percent in Humboldt County, and up 8.6 percent in White Pine County.