Nassau's quarterly sales tax revenue rises

Nassau County's sales tax figures are up 11.2 percent over the same period last year, according to County Comptroller George Maragos.

He said in a news release Friday that the figure is significantly higher than the 4.3 percent budget forecast and is $24 million more than $214 million raised in the first quarter last year.

"The purchasing boom in Nassau County can be directly attributed to our quick response to assist residents after superstorm Sandy," Maragos said. "Getting residents back into their homes, making sure our roads were safe and passable immediately after Sandy is paying off in the first quarter of 2013 in the form of increased economic activity."

In Suffolk, where that revenue is also up -- although only by 5.7 percent or $13,020,725 -- Deputy County Executive Jon Schneider said rebuilding efforts in Sandy's wake helped spur the economy.

"The increase also is a healthy sign for the local economy, and we're cautiously optimistic that we will be on budget for the year if it continues," he said.