Snowmass Village sales increase in June

Snowmass Village sales were up in June for the seventh consecutive month, although the increase was smaller than those of the other months in the first half of the year.

Sales tax collections in June were up 6.7 percent, according to a report issued Aug. 13 by the town Finance Department. The year to date is up 13.4 percent over the first half of 2012.

The sales tax report breaks revenue down by industry categories. Areas that saw increases were lodging, 23 percent; restaurants, 15.3 percent; sports equipment and clothing, 10.5 percent; food, drug and liqour stores, 4.5 percent; and special events, 34.6 percent. Categories that saw decreases were general retail, 6.6 percent; miscellaneous, 79.8 percent; and utilities, 4.6 percent.

Lodging contributed the most to the revenue, followed by restaurants, general retail, utilities, and food, drug and liquor.

Lodging tax collections were up 23 percent in June. Real estate transfer tax collections were up 103.1 percent.

November was the only month over the past year to see a drop in sales tax revenue. Overall, the winter of 2012-13 was one of Snowmass’ strongest in recent memory, finishing up 11.2 percent from the prior ski season. February and March saw increases of more than 15 percent. The updated report, including late payments from past months, showed that April sales rose by 23.7 percent and May collections were up by 9.2 percent from last year.