Taxable sales up 3.3 percent statewide, 3.7 percent in county

Statewide taxable sales for August totaled nearly $4.8 billion — a 3.3 percent increase over August 2016, state officials said this week.

For the month, Clark County taxable sales were up 3.7 percent, and Washoe County taxable sales were up 15.2 percent when compared to the same month in the previous year.

Some of the largest increases were realized by professional, scientific and technical services, up 66.3 percent; food services and drinking places, up 3.8 percent; and data processing, hosting and related services, up 218.5 percent.

Nonstore retailers were up 29 percent, and building material and garden equipment and supplies were up 12.4 percent.

Other sectors reporting were:

■ Construction industry, up 0.8 percent.

■ Merchant wholesalers and durable goods, down 18.6 percent.

■ Motor vehicle and parts dealers, up 1.9 percent.

■ General merchandise stores, up 4.9 percent.

■ Clothing and accessories stores, down 0.5 percent.

■ Food and beverage stores, up 9.8 percent.

■ Furniture and home furnishings, up 2 percent.

■ Accommodations, up 21.8 percent.

■ Food services and drinking places, up 3.8 percent.

Eleven of Nevada’s 17 counties recorded an increase. Only Elko, Esmeralda, Lander, Lincoln, Mineral and Storey counties recorded a drop.

The sales tax collections were also a healthy boost to state coffers. Gross revenue collections from sales and use taxes amounted to $384.5 million for August, a 7.73 percent increase from August 2016. The general fund portion of sales and use taxes collected amounted to slightly more than $96 million, a 4.53 percent increase from last August.

But compared with the May Economic Forum projections and state officials’ analysis, the portion is about 2.67 percent, or $5 million, below the Economic Forum’s May forecast for fiscal 2018 through August.