Mesa County sales tax collections trend upward

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

The county collected more than $4.1 million in sales taxes in April, a 5.4 percent increase over what was collected for the same month a year ago. 

April reports reflect March sales.

Sales, use and lodging tax collections for the City of Grand Junction weren’t available as of press deadline.

Mesa County also collected nearly $381,000 in use taxes in April — nearly all of it from automobiles purchased outside the county, but used in the county. That was a 3.9 percent decrease from the same month last year.

Tax collections on retail sales totaled nearly $2.5 million in April, down six-tenths of a percent from the same month a year ago. Collections increased on the sales of home improvements, food and beverages and sporting goods and other hobbies. Collections decreased on the sales of automobiles, clothing and general merchandise.

Sales tax collections for the month also increased in the hotel and restaurant, manufacturing and telecommunications industries.

Through the first four months of 2022, Mesa County collected more than $15 million in sales taxes. That’s an increase of nearly $1.8 million and 13.5 percent over the same span in 2021.

The county collected almost $1.4 million in use taxes through the first four months of 2022, also a 13.5 increase over a similar span in 2021.

Year-to-date tax collections on retail sales totaled nearly $9.3 million, an increase of more than $700,000 and 8.2 percent over 2021. Collections increased on a year-over-year basis in every retail category but one. Collections edged down four-tenths of a percent on the sales of food and beverages.

Sales tax collections also increased 15.9 percent in the hotel and restaurant industry, 20.5 percent in the manufacturing industry and 35.5 percent in the telecommunications industry. Collections declined 12.6 percent in the oil and natural gas industry.