State, Clark County enjoy uptick in taxable sales

By Cy Ryan

Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012 | 5:40 p.m.

Business in Clark County bars and restaurants fell in July, but auto sales continued strong compared with a year ago.

The state Department of Taxation reported Thursday that taxable sales in Clark County grew to $2.5 billion, up 5.4 percent from July 2011.

And statewide, taxable sales rose 4.7 percent to $3.5 billion.

The department said collections from the sales tax increased 4.3 percent from July 2011.

Gov. Brian Sandoval earlier told reporters the state has collected $130 million more in taxes from sales, gaming¸ mining and other sources than was predicted by the Economic Forum. But he still isn't saying whether there will be enough to meet the demands of education and social services.

Seven of the 17 counties posted declines in taxable sales with the highest drop at 36.3 percent in White Pine County followed by 27 percent in Mineral County.

Taxable sales also fell in the counties of Eureka, Lyon, Nye, Pershing and Storey.

In Clark County, taxable sales from cars jumped 16.3 percent, the seventh straight month of a double-digit increase. But the bar and restaurant trade was off 0.9 percent, the first drop since February 2011.

Sales of building supplies rose 10.2 percent in Clerk County compared to July 2011. Business in general merchandise stores inched up 2.1 percent; clothing stores reported a 2.7 percent gain, and furniture sales were up 0.6 percent.

The department said taxable sales increased 5.6 percent in Washoe County and 5.6 percent in Carson City.

Collections statewide from the cigarette tax were up 0.96 percent; the yield from the liquor tax is down 0.36 percent. And revenue from live entertainment dropped 0.82 percent.