NATCHEZ — December sales tax collections show a slight increase from the taxes collected last year during October.

The December collections are $420,933, up 1.63 percent from last year, but still drastically short of the $457,276 collected for December during the 2008-2009 fiscal year.

The December figures reflect October collections because collections are reported two months after the fact.

October’s Great Mississippi River Balloon Race — Natchez’s biggest tourist event — generally accounts for a large portion of the sales taxes collected in October.

The race’s executive director, Babs Price, said she was happy to see the sales tax collections on the rise.

“I thought last year was good,” she said. “The fact that it went up this year is even better.”

Price said she thought there was a larger crowd on the bluff this year on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon during the race.

The balloon race committee, Price said, works very hard to make the event a success.

“We work hard to bring people into the area to boost the economy,” she said. “The fact that it’s working is great.”

Sales tax collections for November will be reported on Jan. 15.