Tax collections, one measure of sales activity, continue to increase on a year-over-year basis in Mesa County.

The county collected more than $4 million in sales taxes in May, a 3.4 percent increase over what was collected for the same month a year ago. 

May reports reflect April sales.

Mesa County also collected nearly $400,000 in use taxes in May — nearly all of that on automobiles purchased outside the county, but used in the county. That was a 24.5 percent gain over the same month last year.

Tax collections on retail sales topped $2.4 million in May, down a tenth of a percent from the same month last year. Collections increased 2.2 percent on general merchandise and 1.9 percent on automobiles, but dropped 1.2 percent on home improvements and 19.1 percent on health and personal care items.

Sales tax collections increased on a year-over-year basis in May in the construction, hotel and restaurant, manufacturing and telecommunications categories.

Through the first five months of 2022, Mesa County collected more than $19.1 million in sales taxes. That’s an increase of almost $2 million and 11.2 percent over the same span in 2021.

The county collected almost $1.8 million in use taxes through the first five months of 2022, a 16 percent gain from the same span last year.

Year-to-date collections on retail sales exceeded $11.7 million, a 6.4 percent increase fueled by gains on automobiles, general merchandise, home improvements and sporting goods. Collections edged down on the sale of foods and beverages.

Year-to-date sales tax collections also increased in the construction, hotel and restaurant, manufacturing telecommunications and wholesale categories.