County Records Slight Decrease In Retail Sales

By David Howell
Editor

Yalobusha County’s gross retail sales has decreased 1.86 percent during the current fiscal year while Mississippi’s gross retail sales dropped 5.83 percent during the same period according to figures of the Mississippi State Tax Commission

    The two-year comparison shows Yalobusha’s gross retail sales decreased from $61,497,953 during the first 11 months of the state’s previous fiscal year, July 1, 2008 to May 31, 2009; compared to $60,351,139 during the first 11 months of the current fiscal year which started July 1, 2009.

    While the county has experienced this slight decline, municipalities in Yalobusha have fared a little better, according to the monthly sales tax diversion checks received by the municipalities from the Mississippi State Tax Commission. Municipalities receive approximately 18 percent of the seven percent sales tax collected.

    Water Valley’s portion of sales tax collected has  nudged up 1.3 percent, from $440,874.90 during the first 11 months of the previous fiscal year compared to  $446,489.42 in the current fiscal year.

    Coffeeville has experienced a 3.7 percent growth during the first 11 months of the current fiscal year, receiving $106,901.03 last year compared to $110,909.87 this year.

    The county’s third municipality, Oakland has recorded the largest growth in the county. The Town of Oakland has received $53,696.83 in sales tax diversions during the current fiscal year, a 19.4 percent increase over the $44,975.44 received at the same time last year.