Brookhaven continued a positive trend in 2005 as the city’sshare of February sales tax collections was up almost $7,000 overthe February 2004 total.

February’s sales tax receipts, which represented sales made inJanuary, resulted in $305,411.92 for Brookhaven. The city’sFebruary 2004 total was $298,794.66, according to totals from thestate Tax Commission.

Cliff Brumfield, Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerceexecutive vice president, said last month’s collections help makeup for lagging totals earlier in the year.

“The increase from February 2004 to February 2005 is helping usto fill in the gap in realized tax between this year and lastyear,” Brumfield said.

With the February increase, Brookhaven’s year-to-date total for2005 had pulled almost even with that for the same point in 2004.The city’s 2005 year-to-date total was $2,720,729.73 compared to$2,722,852.39 in 2004.

“If this trend continues, 2005 will turn out to be a year ofgrowth for Brookhaven and Lincoln County,” Brumfield said. “That isrevenue that is necessary for much-needed growth.”

In statewide rankings, Brookhaven placed 23rd. Brookhaven wasamong 18 cities in the Top 25 to post revenue increases forFebruary 2005 over February 2004.