NATCHEZ — Despite a dip in June food and lodging tax and $2 hotel and bed-and-breakfast occupancy tax collections, overall sales tax collections for the City of Natchez continued to rise for the 11th month in a row.

Overall sales tax collections were approximately $444,000, up 5 percent from approximately $421,700 in June 2011.

Food and lodging tax collections fell 10 percent, with approximately $31,400 collected in June and approximately $35,000 in June 2011.

The $2 hotel and bed-and-breakfast occupancy tax collections fell approximately 2 percent, with approximately $28,000 collected in June and approximately $28,700 in June 2011.

Sales tax numbers for August reflect June collections. Collections are reported two months after the fact.

Overall sales tax collections have seen a steady climb this fiscal year. City Clerk Donnie Holloway has repeatedly said that he believes the city will see a collective increase in collections for the 2011-2012 fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30.

The total collections for the 2010-2011 fiscal year were approximately $5.1 million, and collections for this fiscal year so far are approximately $4.85 million.

The city needs more than approximately $245,000 in overall July sales tax collections, which will be reported Sept. 15, to top the previous year.

Collections for July 2011 were approximately $421,800.