Holcim US Inc receives tax refund

Pontotoc County Treasurer, Glenda Gonderman, notified commissioners Monday of a property tax refund totalling US$141,449 issued to Holcim US Inc.

Ms Gonderman said the refund reflects an agreement reached between the Massachusetts company, which operates a cement plant on County Road 1550 in Ada, and the county, ending pending litigation in a suit over assessed property tax values for tax years 2014 and 2015.

She added tax refunds of this size are infrequent and are typically associated with large corporations. In the past, she said similar refunds have been sought by Southwestern Bell, but this is the first such refund for Holcim.

Ms Gonderman said the largest portion of the funds refunded would have been earmarked for Latta Public Schools.

Commissioners acknowledged that property assessment can be a complex process, but District 3 Commissioner, Justin Roberts, expressed concern about the timing.

"I don't know that this is necessarily a bad thing but it's just hard when it comes at a time when revenue is already down," Mr Roberts said.