Taxable sales up 5 percent in July

Statewide taxable sales rose in July by 5.3 percent to a total of $3.24 billion.

That includes $41.6 million in taxes reported under the amnesty program but, even without that money, sales would have been 4 percent higher than in July 2009.

Among the best news for the state was the 18.3 percent increase in taxes on accommodations in Clark County, reflecting an increase in visitation room nights.

Western Nevada, however, didn't see the same increases. Carson City was flat compared with the previous July while Churchill and Douglas were both down 4 percent and Lyon was down 5 percent.

At $61.9 million in taxable sales, Carson City was a tenth of a percent higher than the same month of 2009.

Contrary to what happened in Clark County, taxes from accommodations were down 10.2 percent in the Capital. Building material sales also fell 2.6 percent. The capital also reported negatives in a several other categories.

But car dealers in the capital offset those declines with a 9 percent increase in sales to $17 million. City Finance Director Nick Providenti said that was a pleasant surprise since those dealers were going against a month last year that included the Cash for Clunkers program.

"I had the feeling we were going to be down but this is trending to exactly what we were hoping for," he said.

"Flat is better than down," said City Manager Larry Werner.

Douglas reported a 4.1 percent drop to $49.4 million. The largest tax generator, food and drink at South Shore casinos, was flat at $12.66 million. Douglas's second biggest category, General Merchandise Stores, was flat at $6.6 million. Clothing and accessories were down as were car sales - the latter by nearly 12 percent.

Lyon County took a 5 percent hit with $27.33 million in total sales. A three-fold increase in Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing to $4.5 million was offset by decreases in other large categories including Wholesalers of Durable Goods, building material sales and food and beverage stores.

Washoe County reported a

2.9 percent increase to just over

$456 million in taxable sales. That number was helped by a 17.55 percent increase in accommodations taxes and 5.1 percent more in food services and drinking places as well as solid increases in sales of furnishings, electronics and appliances. It was hurt by an 8 percent decrease in taxable sales by car dealers.

Clark County was up 5.5 percent overall to $2.35 billion. In addition to accommodations, car sales rose 8.1 percent and clothing and accessories 14 percent in Las Vegas.

ounty Taxable Sales Change from 5/09

Statewide $3.24 billion 5.3%

Carson City $61.99 million 0.1%

Churchill $21.89 million -4.3%

Douglas $49.39 million -4.1%

Lyon $27.33 million -5%

Storey $3.53 million -9%

Washoe $456 million 2.9%

Clark County $2.35 billion 5.5%