Brookhaven slipped out the state’s Top 20 sales tax collectorsin February, but this year’s Valentine month collections stillrepresented a healthy increase over the same period in 2001.

At $287,690.39, Brookhaven placed at No. 22 among collectorsstatewide. The city’s February 2002 represented about an 8 percentincrease over the February 2001 total of $267,039.27, said ChandlerRuss, executive vice-president of the Brookhaven-Lincoln CountyChamber of Commerce.

“We’re very pleased with 8 percent growth,” Russ said. “That’swell above the state average.”

Regarding the drop in ranking, Russ said Brookhaven teeteredaround No. 20 and rises or falls depending on seasonal and otherfactors in communities elsewhere. In February, Russ said Greenwoodand D’Iberville posted unusually good sales tax totals.

“That’s two factors that pushed out of the Top 20 for rightnow,” Russ said.

In fiscal year to date collections, Brookhaven had taken in$2,586,952.01 in 2002 and $2,508,561.01 through the same point in2001. Russ said that amounted to about a 3.5 percent increase,which he attributed to strong automobile sales and an overallstrengthening of the economy.

Russ said it is a good time to buy large items as inflation isbeing held in check and low interest rates are affecting a numberof economic developments. He was hopeful that a strong Februarygrowth pattern would continue for the rest of the year.

“We’re obviously pleased with our monthly total and look forwardto it continuing,” Russ said.

In other parts of southwest Mississippi, McComb collectionsclimbed to $320,747.40 in February sales tax. The February 2002total, which placed the city 17th in the state, represented anincrease of about $31,000 from the February 2001 total of$289,181.03.

In year-to-date totals, McComb had $2,927,790.51 in 2002 and$2,779,055.23 in 2001.

Also in Pike County, Summit businesses gathered $17,785.16 inFebruary sales tax, a nice increase from last February’s$16,066.86. For the years-to-date, the town’s 2002 total was$149,828.17, a little higher than 2001’s $148,214.30.

In Lawrence County, Monticello merchants took in $29,508.12 forthe city’s share of February 2002 sales tax, a small increase overFebruary 2001’s $28,991.80. The city’s 2002 year-to-date totalstayed slightly ahead of its 2001 pace: $248,202.65 this year and$245,588.19 last year.

Wesson businesses’ February sales tax collections were down to$9,297.20, compared to $9,469.63 last February. Its year-to-datetotal remained ahead of its 2001 pace with $80,265.74 this year and$77,071.55 last year.

To the west in Franklin County, Bude businesses rang up$7,895.94 for the town, a good increase compared to February 2001’s$7,144.62. For 2002, its yearly total was $66,659.58 and $62,065.72in 2001.

Meadville merchants took in $8,863.85 in February 2001, whichwas above February 2001 with $8,310.83. Yearly totals show the townwith $66,467.49 in 2002 collections and $75,582.62 in 2001collections.