November taxable sales decline from 2012

Nevada’s taxable sales for November were up 2.1 percent over November 2012, rising to more than $3.7 billion.

Food services reported an 8.1 percent increase statewide, with auto sales up 7.5 percent. They are two of Nevada’s largest tax generators.

Accommodations also had a good month, reporting a 26 percent increase over a year ago.

Total sales in Churchill County were $25.38 million, but that figure does not include the tax abatements granted to alternative energy. Comptroller Alan Kalt said the 2013 figure is almost a “push” to the same time in 2012 when the county took in $21 million.

Kalt, however, said the county is 8.5 percent down from a year ago. From July-November of 2012, Churchill County’s taxable sales were $152 million, while the current fiscal year total is shy of $139 million.

Utilities were up to $9.3 million, but Kalt said that is due to the Patua geothermal project trying to finish its plant 15 miles west of Fallon. Likewise, construction came in at $1.06 million. Electric Equipment and Appliance had a negative $4.9 million, but Kalt said that is due to a tax energy refund.

Kalt said the November was not strong for General Merchandise and Durable Goods because of a late Thanksgiving, which pushed back any Christmas shopping.

Durable Goods dropped from $$1.2 million to $924,000, and General Merchandise Stores, which includes Walmart, slipped form $4.1 million in 2012 to $3.9 million in 2013. Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores dropped 37 percent to $134,989.

Kalt said he is concerned with Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers at $2.4 million, down almost $300,000 from 2012.

Kalt, however, said several categories showed a strong month such as Food Services and Drinking Places, Building Material and Garden Equipment. Food services increased to $2.5 million, a 17.7 percent gain, while Building Supplies was up $5 percent to $1.68 million. Furnishing and Home Furnishing Stores and Gasoline Stations also showed a slight increase from 2012.

Douglas County also had a good month, reporting a 9.3 percent increase to $46.5 million.

Home furnishings and building materials sales were up 16.6 and 13 percent, respectively. Food services — the county’s largest contributor primarily because of Stateline’s casinos at Tahoe — were up 7.2 percent to $9.4 million.

Lyon County reported $28.4 million in sales, an 11.5 percent improvement over a year ago.

Major contributors included auto sales (up 19.4 percent to $2.56 million), building materials (up 10.2 percent to $2.47 million) and general merchandise (up 19.9 percent to $3.9 million).

But Lyon also had a couple of surprise contributors: Wholesale durable good increased 57 percent to $2.2 million, and nonmetallic mineral manufacturing increased 92 percent to $2.45 million.

Nevada’s two largest counties, Clark and Washoe, were up 5.7 percent and 9.9 percent, respectively. Those gains were offset by double-digit decreases in counties including Elko, Esmeralda, Eureka, Humboldt and Nye.