March 17, 2009
By: Mark Scott

BUFFALO, NY (2009-03-17) Erie County Comptroller Mark Poloncarz says sales tax receipts in January were down more than five percent compared to January 2008. He also says early indications are that the February numbers will be down as well.

Because of the recession, the current year's budget did not include any sales tax growth. Poloncarz says if this trend continues, Erie County could lose more than $19 million in revenue this year.

Poloncarz says fewer car sales and fewer Canadian shoppers at area malls are factors for the decline.

In a second report on the local economy, the Buffalo Niagara Board of Realtors says area home sales dropped by 23 percent last month, compared to February 2008. The average sale price for a home fell by seven percent to about $109,500.