A 7 percent tax on sales means income for Mississippi cities, and this year Brookhaven is enjoying slightly higher or steady figures each month.

According to the Mississippi Department of Revenue, May’s sales tax diversion to the city of Brookhaven was $476,603.75. This number is roughly $11,000 more than this time last year – the sales tax revenue for May 2014 being $465,288.53.

A majority of cities and towns in Mississippi show numbers that are slightly increasing, as Brookhaven’s, or staying the same. There are a minority of areas that have seen decreases from this time last year.

Mayor Joe Cox said Brookhaven’s sales tax revenues are holding steady while a few regional areas have seen dips over the past year.

“We’ve just been holding our own; we’ve got a strong economy still,” he said.

Many might think close neighbor McComb would have a higher sales tax revenue stream considering the presence of more chain retail stores and a mall, but Brookhaven’s numbers are very similar. In May 2015 McComb received $463,486.95, up from May 2014, which was $453,851.78.

Cox said Brookhaven is situated within a regional trade area that draws people to spend their money here. He also said this month’s revenues are on track for what the city budgeted them to be.

“We’re doing well, we’re blessed no doubt,” Cox said. “That’s right about where we thought it would be. We’re tickled with those figures, we really are.”

The sales tax revenue does not include the 2 percent lodging tax, which the city receives around the same time each month from the state as well. May’s lodging tax revenues were $6,620.98.

This month’s figures are about $3,500 less than the month of April, though month-to-month fluctuations can change per holidays and other events that drive folks to do more shopping.