Sales tax collections were no joke as Brookhaven’s share for theApril Fools month topped $350,000, according to totals from theMississippi Tax Commission.

Brookhaven received $353,192.66 in sales tax last month, morethan $24,000 above April 2003’s $329,076.61. That represented anincrease of about 7 percent.

Ranked 22nd, Brookhaven again lingered just outside the state’sTop 20 collectors. A return to the Top 20 could be coming in thenear future, said Chandler Russ, Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamberof Commerce executive vice-president.

“I fully expect, when annexation is completed, to go back intothe Top 20,” Russ said.

Russ said communities like Olive Branch, just outside ofMemphis, were experiencing “phenomenal” growth and would likelycontinue with their high rankings. Cities like Oxford andStarkville, though, were experiencing good returns due to seasonalsporting events.

“As the summer approaches, we’ll probably see them fall out ofthere,” Russ said.

In a comparison of Aprils, Russ pointed out that Brookhaven’ssales tax collections had risen about 75 percent since April 1997,the earliest year available on state listings. In April 1997,Brookhaven collected just over $205,000.

Kenny Goza, chamber president, touted the importance andbenefits of shopping locally.

“We’ve had a lot of growth over the last few years,” Goza said.”Investment in the community pays off.”

More recently, Russ said there has been a lot of momentumbuilding in Brookhaven. He mentioned factors such as new industrialpark efforts, a recovering national economy and progressive localmerchants.

“The momentum is really great right now and a lot of positivethings are happening in the community,” Russ said.

Since July 1, the start of the state’s fiscal year, Brookhavenhad taken in $3,391,805.86 in 2004 compared to $3,195,236.55. Theyearly increase amounted to approximately 6.5 percent.

In other parts of southwest Mississippi, McComb collected$414,426.68 as its share of April sales tax.

McComb’s April 2004 total, which placed the city 17th instatewide rankings, represented an increase of about $25,000 overthe April 2003 total of $389,118.61. For the fiscal year, McCombhad $3,874,765.20 in 2004 and $3,665,155.81 at the same point in2003.

Also in Pike County, Summit businesses gathered $22,815.82 inApril sales tax, a healthy increase from last April’s $16,484.85.So far in the fiscal year, the city had $189,674.14 this yearcompared to $165,350.43 last year.

In Lawrence County, Monticello merchants took in $33,292.45 forthe city’s share of April 2004 sales tax, which was down slightlyfrom April 2003’s $34,531.34. The city remained ahead in fiscalyear to date collections with $333,635.32 in 2004 and $321,882.67in 2003.

Wesson businesses’ April sales tax collections were up to$10,733.12, compared to $9,194.47 last April. In fiscal year todate collections, the town had $107,975.02 for 2004 and $91,778.87in 2003.

To the west in Franklin County, Bude businesses rang up$7,891.56 for the town, which was up a little from April 2003’s$7,761.69. The town stayed ahead of its fiscal year to date pace,with $79,040.80 in 2004 and $75,365.64 last year.

Meadville merchants took in $8,830.55 in April 2004, which wasdown several dollars from April 2003 with $8,947.47. In totalfiscal year collections, the town had $84,585.84 this year and$82,288.13 at the same point last year.