City Clerk Mike Jinks said it was a “pleasant surprise” Fridaywhen his office received a sales tax check from the state for over$500,000.

“We’re elated about it,” Jinks said about the city’s share ofsales tax collections for January. “We expected it to be high, butthat much was an added blessing.”

The $516,293.69 was almost $120,000 more than the $398,957.87collected in January 2005. The January 2006 total placed Brookhavenat number 22 among the state’s top sales tax collectors.

Last month’s collections represented sales made during December.Jinks attributed the strong total to Christmas shopping as well andspending by Hurricane Katrina evacuees now living in the area.

“There’s probably some home improvement spending, too,” Jinkssaid.

For the state fiscal year to date, Brookhaven has taken in$2,889,150.88 this year compared to $2,415,317.81 at the same pointin 2005. That represents an approximately 19 percent increase.

Jinks offered no speculation on what February totals would be.However, he was hopeful the city’s current trend wouldcontinue.

“We’ve budgeted $350,000 a month (from sales tax), and we’vebeen over that every month since the start of the year,” Jinkssaid.