Douglas taxable sales continue to be flat

Douglas County merchants experienced a slight decline in taxable sales in October, conducting $42.377 million in business, down from $42.67 million in October 2009.

Overall the county is down 1.8 percent over the previous fiscal year.

Sales continued to follow the same trends as in 2009, running just a little bit behind the big drops that occurred in the previous two years.

Of the county's top five sales revenue sources, the largest, food services and drinking places experienced a 3.1 percent decrease, going from $8.02 million to $7.78 million in 2010, showing continued decline in the Stateline casinos' income generating ability.

General merchandise stores also experienced a 3.7 percent decrease from $6.3 million to $6.06 million.

There were some bright spots as building materials and garden equipment gained 2.9 percent from $4.5 million to $4.6 million.

The sales of durable manufacturing goods and motor vehicles parts were also up.

Statewide, the largest increases were in the food services and drinking places category, an 8.1 percent increase, and auto sales, up 10 percent.

Accommodations turned in a 17.3 percent increase for the month.

Ten of Nevada's 17 counties reported increases in taxable sales for October.

Revenue collections for the month rose 2 percent compared to last year. The state's General Fund portion of the sales and use tax generated $62.3 million in revenue. But that is still $199,000 below what the Economic Forum projected through the fourth month of the fiscal year.