Tax collections, a measure of sales activity, continue to increase in Mesa County.

Mesa County reported collecting more than $3.7 million in sales tax in September, a 16.8 percent increase over the same month last year.

The county also collected more than $472,000 in use taxes — nearly all of it on automobiles purchased outside the county, but used in the county. That’s an increase of 17.9 percent over last year.

Combined sales and use tax collections were up almost $614,000 and 16.9 percent over a year ago.

September collections reflect August sales.

Tax collections on retail sales topped $1.3 million, a 12.2 percent increase over a year ago. Collections rose in nearly every category, including an 8.8 percent gain in collections on internet sales.

Sales tax collections also increased 21.7 percent on restaurant meals and hotel stays, 16.1 percent on home improvements and 13.9 percent on automobiles.

Through the first three quarters of 2021, Mesa county collected a total of almost $36 million in sales and use taxes. That’s an increase of nearly $6.4 million and
21.5 percent over the same span in 2020. Sales tax collections rose 20.5 percent. Use tax collections rose 33.1 percent.

Tax collections on retail sales exceeded $11.6 million, a 20.1 percent increase over the same period last year. Tax collections on internet sales topped $2.1 million, a 31.7 percent gain.

Year-to-date sales tax collections also rose 32 percent on construction materials, 31.6 percent on home improvements and 30.9 percent on restaurant meals and hotel stays. Collections fell 45.5 percent in the oil and natural gas category and 8.3 percent in the telecommunications category.