Taxable sales grow in January

Taxable sales for Churchill County increased by 18.5 percent in January according to the Nevada Department of Taxation.

Compared to January 2015, taxable sales grew from $19.3 million to $22.9 million, and for the fiscal year that began July 1, the year-to-date total was up 4.2 percent to $165 million, an increase of $6 million.

Neighboring Lyon County continues to improve with its January taxable sales showing a 4.6 percent increase for the fiscal year, and 2.6 percent for January.

Statewide, the January figures are up 47 percent as the two major counties, Clark and Washoe, grew 4.2 percent and 8.6 percent, respectively. Nine out of 17 counties showed decreases.

“Many of the counties are being affected by lower commodity prices,” said Churchill County Comptroller Alan Kalt, referring to gold prices specifically affecting Elko and Eureka counties.

The largest increases in statewide taxable sales occurred in Food Services and Drinking Places, up 2.8 percent; Building Material and Garden Equipment and Supplies, up 6.8 percent; Miscellaneous Store Retailers, up 14.2 percent; Rental and Leasing Services, up 7.2 percent, and Nonstore Retailers, up 12.2 percent.

The reason for Churchill County’s January jump is due in part to geothermal projects such as the Tungsten project. Kalt said Utilities was up 532 percent to $566,083, and Specialty Trade Construction rose 489 percent to $1.6 million.

As the year progresses, alternative energy projects are entitled to tax rebates.

Another area according to Kalt that was affected by tax rebates is Professional, Scientific and Technical Services. The category shows a 636 percent drop.

Kalt said he is also researching the Credit Intermediate and Related Activities category that grew 342 percent from $585,989 to $2.5 million, a figure that doesn’t look correct

In other major categories for Churchill County, Durable Goods grew 30 percent to $876,873, but Nondurable Goods fell 33.6 percent.

Although Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers fell 7 percent to $3.1 million, the category has shown an 11 percent increase for the fiscal year. Kalt said General Merchandise Stores, which include Wal-Mart, was almost even from last year, showing only a $9,000 increase, but Miscellaneous Store Retailers jumped 149 percent from $109,032 to $271,571. Sporting Goods also had a good January at 27.7 percent to $180,650.

An area showing an unexpected surge is Building Material and Garden Equipment and Supplies. The category saw a 13.4 boost, pushing January’s numbers to $1.3 million.

In the entertainment categories, Gaming rose 37 percent, but Food Services and Drinking Place suffered a 20 percent decline from $3.6 million to $2.9 million. Kalt said the reason for the drop is partially accountable to a temporary workforce in Churchill County that was finishing construction work.