Sales tax collections, a measure of retail activity, continue to trend upward on year-over-year basis in Mesa County.

The county collected more than $4 million in sales taxes in November, a 5.5 percent increase over the same month last year.  November tax collections have increased in each of the last five years.

November collections reflect October sales.

Mesa County also collected nearly $454,000 in use taxes in November — nearly all of that on the sales of automobiles purchased outside the county, but used in the county. That’s a 19.4 percent increase over the same month last year.

Tax collections on retail sales reached nearly $2.4 million, a 3.5 percent year-over-year increase. Collections rose on general merchandise, home improvements and sporting goods, but declined on clothing as well as health and personal care items.

Sales tax collections also increased for most other industry categories, including the hotel and restaurant, wholesale, construction and telecommunications categories.

Through 11 months of 2022, Mesa County collected more than $44.7 million in sales taxes. That’s a 10.3 percent increase over the same span in 2021 and a 9.5 percent increase over what was budgeted.

Mesa County collected another $4.1 million in use taxes, a 5.7 percent gain over last year.

Year-to-date tax collections on retail sales topped $26.6 million, a 7.2 percent increase. Collections increased in seven of eight retail categories. Collections fell 4.3 percent on health and personal care items.

Year-to-date sales tax collections also increased for each of 15 industry categories with the biggest proportional gains in the transportation, construction and medical categories.