By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – Local sales tax collections were on the rise for the fourth consecutive month in Erie County.
In March, the county collected 28.6 million dollars - 1.9 million dollars more than in March of 2001, County Comptroller Nancy Naples said Thursday.
According to Naples, during the first quarter of 2002 the County experienced an 8.1 million dollar growth in sales tax collections.
But Naples said she remains cautious because sales tax receipts are highly sensitive to changes in the economy.
"It looks very, very positive," said Naples. "But, as always, we have to be careful when it comes to sales tax as a trend indicator, because it does change with the economy."
Naples said that last year, after six months of positive tax receipts, collections turned negative.