Sales tax collections for February didn’t offer much to love,but Brookhaven’s 2007 total was a little ahead of the same periodin 2006, according to statistics from the Mississippi TaxCommission.

At $361,155.46, Brookhaven’s February 2007 total was a littlemore than $4,000 above the $356,741.66 collected in February 2006.February collections represent sales made in January.

“We still are above a number of towns with larger populationsthan we have,” said Mayor Bob Massengill.

Massengill mentioned Canton, Clarksdale, Grenada, Moss Point andseveral others in making the comparison.

“We’re in pretty good company as far as the towns we comparefavorably to,” the mayor said.

Some communities like Brandon and Starkville, which often movein and out of the state’s Top 25 sales tax collectors, were up inFebruary and contributed to Brookhaven’s being down in statewiderankings. Brookhaven came in 27th in February.

Massengill, though, remained positive about the monthly salestax picture.

“It’s still good and hopefully we’ll do better in the monthsahead,” he said.

The mayor again stressed the need for local residents tocontinue to shop at home. He said that activity is vital formerchants as well as for the city.

Stronger sales tax months ahead could also help erase ayear-to-date deficit situation.

So far in fiscal year 2007, Brookhaven has received$3,113,806.38 from sales tax. That is down about $132,000 from the$3,245,892.54 collected at the same point in 2006.