Clark County taxable sales up for 5th straight month

By Cy Ryan

Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011 | 8 p.m.

CARSON CITY — Paced by strong showings in the clothing and car businesses, taxable sales jumped by 10.5 percent in Clark County in September compared to a year ago.

Taxable sales in Clark County reached $2.5 billion in September.

It was the biggest percentage gain since November 2009, when sales rose 10.7 percent in Clark County.

The Nevada Tax Commission reported Tuesday that statewide taxable sales jumped by 10.4 percent in September, the largest gain since an 11.2 percent increase in December 2010. Taxable sales reached $3.5 billion in the month.

It was the fifth consecutive month of an increase in taxable sales in Clark County, a major indicator of the economy.

Fourteen of the 17 counties registered an increase in taxable sales. Only Lincoln, Nye and Washoe counties recorded declines.

The department said statewide revenue from the sales tax for the first three months of this fiscal year was about 1.45 percent, or $2.9 million, above the increase predicted by the Economic Forum.

In Clark County, clothing sales jumped 19.6 percent and bar and restaurant sales climbed 17.3 percent, compared to September 2010. Furniture sales rose by 14.2 percent, the car business was up 8 percent, building material sales rose 5.8 percent, and general merchandise sales inched up 2.8 percent.

The biggest gains in taxable sales were in Lander County, up 166.1 percent; Esmeralda, up 140.3 percent; and in Churchill at 134.8 percent.

Carson City’s business rose by 2.6 percent and Elko County recorded a 14.7 percent gain.

The department reported business fell in Washoe County by 1.4 percent; it dropped 19.4 percent in Nye County, and was off 21.3 percent in Lincoln County.