Taxable sales up but only by 4 percent

Taxable sales increased 4.1 percent in March - the smallest increase in more than a year.

While growth in Clark County was solid at 5.7 percent, seven of Nevada's 17 counties were down compared to March of 2005 including Carson City, Douglas and Washoe counties.

Douglas was off 8 percent to $66.7 million in taxable sales and Carson City down 3.9 percent to $85 million. Washoe sales were off 1.3 percent to $588.6 million for the month.

Other counties showing a decline in sales for the month were Storey, Mineral, Lincoln, Lander and Esmeralda.

The largest increases were reported by eating and drinking places, which were up 8.3 percent, and wholesale trade in durable goods which increased 17.8 percent. Sales of commercial and industrial machinery were up 43.3 percent.

Auto dealers and gasoline sales were down 10.3 percent for the month and building construction off 31.6 percent.

But the state is still 10.8 percent ahead nine months into the fiscal year. Total taxable sales for the month were $4.29 billion for the 143,745 businesses reporting to the state.

From those sales, the gross collections from sales and use taxes came to $330.6 million in March. That is 8.48 percent more than March 2005 and a 12.66 percent increase for the nine months of this fiscal year.

That puts the general fund portion of the tax revenues $30.8 million above the Economic Forum forecast used to build the state budget.

By the numbers

County Taxable Sales Change

from 3/05

Statewide $4.29 billion 4.1%

Carson City $85 million -3.9%

Churchill $28.2 million 6.6%

Douglas $66.7 million -8%

Lyon $39.1 million 3.7%

Storey $6.3 million -10.2%

Washoe $588.6 million -1.3%