July sales tax collections were down in Opp.

Figures provided by the city clerk’s office show merchants remitted $162,851 for sales made in July and remitted in August.

That figure is down 9 percent from the same period last year and down 7 percent from the previous month’s total of $174,381.

Year to date collections are also down slightly at 2.3 percent or $1,888,345; however, there remains one month of collections in this fiscal year – a fact that should be impacted by the influx of new businesses in Opp.

Chamber of Commerce officials said Thursday that at least three new businesses have opened its doors in the last two months, while city hall has issued an additional two business licenses to establishments who are not currently chamber members.

–Stephanie Nelson