BATAVIA, OH — The Board of County Commissioners got an early look at 2021 sales tax revenues on Feb. 24.

Clermont County’s February sales tax allocation from the State of Ohio reflects a 4-percent increase when compared to the same month a year ago. Mary Rains, director of the county’s Office of Budget and Management, noted that the numbers are for November sales, as there is a lag until the county actually receives tax distributions.

Rains said that sales tax revenues are running better than the 2-percent increase budgeted for this year.

Tax revenue from auto sales was down 9 percent, but the use tax (which includes tax on internet sales) was up 34 percent year over year. A Supreme Court decision allowed states to charge tax on purchases made from out-of-state sellers starting in mid-2019, even if the seller does not have a physical presence in the taxing state.