Taxable sales slip in May

Nevada's taxable sales were down again in May, falling 1.5 percent below the May 2007 numbers.

That leaves the state 2.1 percent down for the 11 months of this past fiscal year.

In May, 10 of Nevada's 17 counties reported a decrease in taxable sales including Carson City, Douglas, Churchill and Storey counties.

The bright spot in western Nevada was Lyon County, which reported a 12.9 percent increase in sales to $29.1 million.

In Carson City, sales were off 2.5 percent to $76.2 million and in Douglas, 11.8 percent to $53 million.

Storey, on a rollercoaster ride tied to development and events at the Reno-Tahoe Industrial Park, saw a 57.9 percent drop for May to $5.6 million.

In Washoe County, taxable sales were down 6.2 percent to $553.8 million and in Clark, a half percent to just over $3 billion.

Statewide, total taxable sales for the month were just over $4 billion.

The largest decreases were reported by motor vehicles and parts dealers " 14.8 percent " and furniture and home furnishings stores " 19 percent.

The largest increases statewide were from specialty trade contractors " up 26 percent and electronics and appliance stores " 26.5 percent.

Support activities for mining were up a whopping 278 percent.

The numbers mean the state is already falling behind the new Economic Forum projections issued just a month ago. Compared to the June '08 projections, the general fund part of sales tax revenues is already $3.1 million short.

But Gov. Jim Gibbons pointed out that, despite the state's overall economic woes,

"Nevada continues to see strong construction activity in the south and a modest increase in consumer spending."

Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.