Buoyed by a couple of months of extra annexation-related funds,Brookhaven claimed the top spot in Southwest Mississippi in salestax collections and climbed into the state’s Top 20 in October,according to totals from the state Tax Commission.

The October total showed Brookhaven receiving $488,552.48 as itsshare of sales tax collections. That was more than $130,000 abovethe city’s total from October 2006.

Last month’s caveat, however, was the total also included twomonths of the city’s share of sales tax collections from businessesin the annexation area. City Clerk Mike Jinks said the Octobertotal includes additional collections for July and August, whichwere left out of the early totals, and for September as normal.

“It’s a shot in the arm,” Mayor Bob Massengill said about lastmonth’s total.

In fact, the total placed Brookhaven first among SouthwestMississippi communities and ranked it 18th statewide.

In fiscal year to date numbers, October’s collections alsoplaced the city about $150,000 ahead of its pace in 2006. Thisyear’s total so far is $1,704,348.80 compared to $1,549,985.25 atthe same point last year.

“It’s a good improvement,” Jinks said.

Also, with the city now scheduled to receive its share of salestax from annexation area business, leaders have a better idea ofwhat to expect in the months ahead.

Following the adjustment, Jinks said the monthly average salestax total so far is $434,000. He said that is above the $425,000 amonth the city has budgeted to receive from sales tax and iscomparable to communities of similar size in the state.

“We were glad to get and were pleased with the average,” Jinkssaid about the extra collections and overall total.