Brookhaven sales tax collections remained strong in May, but thecity fell just outside the state’s Top 20 collectors for the month,according to State Tax Commission totals.

“I was a little surprised at that,” said Chandler Russ, chamberof commerce executive vice-president, about the city’s place at No.21 in the state.

For May, the city took in $322,512.43. That was almost $20,000more than its May 2000 total of $303,621.57 and represented about 6percent monthly growth.

From a year-to-date basis, the city had taken in $3,450,748 in2001 and $3,321,843.04 at the same point in 2000. Russ said thatkept the city growing at about 5 percent.

“We’re still probably the fastest-growing percentage wise insouthwest Mississippi,” Russ said.

With the city’s sales tax benefits from its automobiledealerships, Russ said lower interest rates are a positive for thecommunity.

“The continued lack of pressure on that is helping us out,” hesaid.

Despite the drop in ranking, Russ said the city is still on agood pace.

“Our sales tax has grown 5 to 7 percent most months,” he said.”Occasionally, you have a dip, but it’s good consistentgrowth.”

The city was displaced from the Top 20 with a strong showingfrom Olive Branch. That city’s collections leapt more than $90,000from May 2000, with $240,842.18, to May 2001, with $332,025.28.

In other parts of southwest Mississippi, McComb collectionsclimbed to $349,099.95 in May sales tax. The May 2001 total, whichplaced the city 18th in the state, represented an increase of about$14,000 from the May 2000 total of $334,978.56.

In year-to-date totals, McComb had $3,828,251.48 in 2001 and$3,770,247.62 in 2000.

Also in Pike County, Summit businesses gathered $20,466.13 inMay sales tax, a good increase from last May’s $17,841.38. For theyears-to-date, the town’s 2001 total was $204,386.99, about $12,000below 2000’s $216,354.50.

In Lawrence County, Monticello merchants took in $28,656.18 forthe city’s share of May 2001 sales tax, down about $4,000 from May2000’s $32,144.77. The city’s 2001 year-to-date total continued tobe a little off its 2000 pace: $336,936.11 this year and$351,046.02 last year.

Wesson businesses’ May sales tax collections inched down to$10,307.53, compared to $10,598.13 last May. Its year-to-date totalremained slightly behind its 2000 pace with $107,643.39 this yearand $108,481.22 last year.

To the west in Franklin County, Bude businesses rang up$8,242.38 for the town, ant increase compared to May 2000’s$7,662.70. For 2001, its yearly total was $86,067.71 and $86,758.68in 2000.

Meadville merchants took in $8,068.96 in May 2001, a decreasefrom May 2000 with $9,514.54. Yearly totals show the town with$100,711.95 in 2001 collections and $91,872.11 in 2000collections.