Wednesday, June 25, 2003 | 11:07 a.m.
CARSON CITY -- For the 10th straight month, taxable sales in Nevada, a barometer of the economic health of the state, rose in April, increasing by 5.3 percent.
Business in Clark County posted a healthy 7.9 percent gain over the same month of a year ago, while Washoe County sales fell by 0.3 percent.
The state Department of Taxation today said sales statewide reached $2.8 billion during the month statewide, up from $2.6 billion of a year ago.
The state collected $56.2 million in sales tax, up 4.29 percent. But Gov. Kenny Guinn said regardless of the increase, the state fell another $3 million behind the original budget estimates of the Economic Forum for this fiscal year.
"While we posted an overall positive month, 11 of our 17 counties registered in the loss category," said Guinn. "I remain hopeful that Legislature will come up with an effective tax plan that is table and responsive to the needs of Nevada."
The Legislature is working on a tax plan for the next two fiscal years, not the present fiscal year.
Statewide, the department said taxable sales from miscellaneous retail business jumped 18.4 percent; auto sales rose 9.7 percent; bars and restaurants increased 3.3 percent; wholesale trade-durable goods was up 11.1 percent and home furniture business increased by 7.1 percent compared to a year ago.
Sale of building materials inched up 1.1 percent; general merchandise stores recorded a 2.6 percent gain but food store business was off 0.3 percent. The department said Clark County merchants posted $2 billion in taxable sales, up from $1.93 billion in April last year.
Eating and drinking businesses in Clark County reported $454.3 million, up 4.2 percent; wholesale trade-durable goods posted a 10.9 percent increase to $104.7 million; building material sales rose to $133.1, up 3.9 percent; auto sales posted $305.7 million, up 13.5 percent and home furniture stores reported $111.9 million, up 11.1 percent.
Apparel stores in Clark County reported taxable sales of $95.4 million, up 4.8 percent but grocery stores sales were off 0.4 percent to $74.6 million.
Taxable sales in Washoe County fell from $417.8 million in April 2002 to $416.4 million this April. Business in Carson City was off by 9 percent to $65.8 million; Douglas County enjoyed a 12.2 percent gain to 448.3 million and Elko County business registered a 2.5 percent decline to $56.3 million.
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