Taxable sales surge across Nevada

Taxable sales increased in 14 of Nevada's 17 counties in September, recording a 10.4 percent increase over September 2010.

Total sales for the month were $3.58 billion and the lion's share of the credit goes to Clark County, which had a 10.5 percent increase to $2.56 billion.

Carson City was one of the 14, but nowhere near the increase recorded statewide. The capital saw a 2.6 percent rise in total sales to $62.1 million as its two biggest sales tax categories - auto sales and general merchandise stores - were up just two-tenths and 1.2 percent, respectively.

Churchill County reported a 134.8 percent increase in taxable sales as the utilities category jumped from $2.5 million to $30.1 million. Total sales reported in Churchill rose from $22 million to $51.7 million.

Washoe was one of the three counties reporting a decrease in total sales, with building material sales fallingfrom $23.3 million to $2.1 million. Other major categories there were flat or down, including general merchandise sales. But motor vehicle sales increased 12.6 percent to $54 million, helping offset those numbers. The net result was a decrease in total sales of 1.4 percent to $448 million.

Douglas County reported a 4.4 percent increase to just over $49 million for September on the back of a 9.4 percent rise in sales by food services and drinking places - that county's largest category. Total sales in that category alone were $11.8 million for the month.

Clark County's numbers also were driven by food services and drinking places - that county's largest tax generator - a 17.3 percent increase to $716.4 million.

Lyon also had a good month, with a 31.2 percent increase to $32.49 million, as did Storey County, where sales rose 15.9 percent to $5.36 million.

Esmeralda County had a 140 percent overall increase from $1.4 million to $3.4 million. The increase was generated primarily by two reporting categories. Motor vehicle sales increased from $9,025 to $135,804. Rental and leasing services went from $8,278 a year ago to $1.7 million, sending taxable sales there to $3.45 million.

In addition to Washoe, Lincoln and Nye counties reported lower sales than a year ago. The drop was 21.3 percent in Lincoln and 19.4 percent in Nye.

September sales

County Taxable Sales Change from 9/10

Statewide $3.58 billion 10.4%

Carson City $62.1 million 2.6%

Churchill $51.78 million 134.8%

Douglas $49 million 4.4%

Lyon $32.49 million 31.2%

Storey $5.36 million 15.9%

Washoe $448 million -1.4%

Clark County $2.56 billion 10.5%