Sales tax revenue up ninth quarter in a row

Sales tax revenue in Gilroy rose by a steady 2.9 percent in the first quarter this year, compared to the first quarter in 2011. 

Tax revenue in the first quarter was $2,645,836. The biggest spike being from a 13.2 percent rise in spending at the Gilroy Premium Outlets, raking in a total of $583,358 in taxes. 

Auto sales also rose by 9 percent, and downtown businesses rose by 6.8 percent. 

This quarter’s increase is the ninth quarter in a row that has seen positive sales tax revenue. 

Gilroy’s growth was middle-of-the-road compared to other cities in Santa Clara County. Morgan Hill’s grew by 18.5 percent, while a few cities like Lost Gatos and Los Altos Hills experienced decline. The overall county growth this quarter was 4.1 percent.