Clark County sales tax revenue rises 8.1 percent in June

By Cy Ryan

Monday, Aug. 29, 2011 | 3:50 p.m.

Taxable sales in Clark County climbed 8.1 percent in June, the fifth increase during the first six months of the year, reaching $2.6 billion during the month compared to $2.4 billion in June 2010.

Statewide, taxable sales grew by 9 percent and 13 of the 17 counties recorded an increase. Only Churchill, Douglas, Lincoln and Pershing counties showed a decline. Taxable sales are one barometer of the state's economy.

In Clark County, food services and drinking places posted a 16.6 percent gain to S723.2 million for the month. It was the fourth consecutive month this segment of the economy has shown an increase.

Car sales jumped by 13 percent compared to a year ago, the 10th straight month of an increase.

After six straight months of declining sales, business in building materials and garden supplies inched up 2.9 percent. The department reported that clothing sales rose 17.5 percent; general merchandise inched up 1.9 percent in taxable sales but furniture sales were off 2.1 percent in Clark County.

Taxable sales statewide reached $3.6 billion with big increases in some rural counties. The largest gains in taxable sales were in Esmeralda County, up 78.4 percent; Mineral County, 77 percent and Lander at 60 percent.

Washoe County posted a 1.9 percent increase in taxable sales.

The state collected $285.1 million from the sales and use tax in June, a 9.2 percent increase over the same month of 2010. For this fiscal year the collections are up 5.8 percent.