Though the economy may be slow to recover, taxable sales are projected to have surged 13 percent from third quarter 2009 to third quarter 2011, according to the California State Board of Equalization, the state’s tax commission.

The increase comes as a 5 percent — $5.8 billion — year-over-year raise in just-finalized third quarter 2010 taxable sales figures, and a further, currently-estimated, 8 percent surge in third quarter 2011.

“It’s encouraging to see the sustained steady growth in retail sales,” said George Runner, who represents the San Joaquin Valley on the State Board of Equalization. “Hopefully sooner rather than later will it translate into more jobs for out-of-work Californians.”

Taxable sales represent all retail sales in California which are subject to sales and use taxes.

Final numbers from third quarter 2010 show the BOE Second District – a massive area stretching from Siskiyou County to Los Angeles County and including Stanislaus County – growing taxable sales by $1.3 billion or 4.8 percent compared to third quarter 2009. The San Joaquin Valley in particular posted stronger growth that the state, up $705 million, or 6.7 percent year-over-year.

Stanislaus County did worse than the Valley as a whole, posting $1.0 million in third quarter 2010 retail and food services taxable sales, and $1.6 million in all taxable sales for the period. That’s up just slightly – 2 percent – from 2009’s $978,571 in retail and food sales, and up 6 percent from $1.5 million in all taxable sales.

Turlock specifically posted $179,303 in retail and food services taxable sales in third quarter 2010, and $221,559 in all taxable sales. The numbers represent a 5 percent increase in retail and food taxable sales from 2009 — $170,325— and a 4 percent increase in all sale, from $212,441.

Turlock’s largest retail sales sector – General Merchandise stores – saw a 10 percent year-over-year sales increase in third quarter 2010 to $51,131 in taxable transactions. Gasoline stations posted the largest percentage increase – 11 percent from 2010 – to $30,797.

Motor vehicle and parts dealers were the only Turlock taxable segment to decline from 2009 to 2010, from $16,641 to $15,932. Across California, sales in that category were flat, as used car sales increased though new car, boat, motorcycle and RV sales fell.

To contact Alex Cantatore, e-mail acantatore@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 9141.