Noranda unable to pay over $3.6 million in county tax bill

NEW MADRID - New Madrid County's taxing entities are taking a big hit after the county's largest employer failed to pay its 2015 tax assessment.

According to Dewayne Nowlin, New Madrid County collector, the county did not receive a check for the 2015 taxes from Noranda Aluminum. Noranda's 2015 tax bill totals more than $3.6 million.

The news on the taxes came as Noranda Aluminum Holding Corporation announced Wednesday cost cutting including major layoffs of employees

According to New Madrid County's collector, the tax bill is already accruing interest.

The loss of revenue will impact numerous county operations. Nowlin broke the tax payments down as follows:

County Revenue, $128,891.67; Health Department, $75,397.41; Johnson Grass, $8,340.05; County Library, $94,941.79; New Madrid County R-1 School District, $3,104,435.99; Road and Bridge Fund, $105,135.17; Sheltered Workshop, $16,764.32; state taxes, $25,272.91; commercial taxes, $82,514.80; St. Francis Drainage District, $10,611.38; and Drainage District 29, $889.77. The tax payment totals, before interest, $3,653,195.26.

New Madrid County Clerk Clement Cravens said when the county was setting the property tax rates in September, there were no appeals to the Board of Equalization about the rates by any entities.