Sales tax collections for Lawrence and Douglas County are down for August and the year, according to the Kansas Department of Revenue’s most recent report.

August sales tax numbers fell 6.2 percent in Douglas County, compared to the same period a year ago, dropping to $978,442. For the fiscal year, which began in July, numbers are down 4.8 percent.

In Lawrence, August totals dropped 6.1 percent from a year ago, falling to $890,341. For the fiscal year, the totals are down 5.8 percent.

Sales tax numbers generally are the best indicator of retail sales in the area. The city and county received the sales tax dollars in August, but they come from sales made two to three months earlier.