|
ANALYSIS the property is
<br /> We need address only Bethesda's first assignment of error. used exclusively for religious, educational, charitable, or
<br /> The question presented is whether the primary or dominant cemetery purposes. The property need not be used solely
<br /> use of Cambridge Court is for charitable purposes.Whether for one of the four categories of exempt use, but may be
<br /> Bethesda is a charitable organization as required in § used for a combination of the exempt uses.For purposes of
<br /> 77-202(I)(c) is not before us. The status of Bethesda as a this exemption, the term exclusive use shall mean the
<br /> charitable organization was not a contested issue before the predominant or primary use of the property as opposed to
<br /> Board and was not an issue contested by the parties. The incidental use. The exemption will not be lost if the
<br /> parties agreed that Bethesda is a charitable organization and property is used in an incidental manner that is not one or
<br /> that the property is owned by a charitable organization. more of the exempt uses.
<br /> Since the issue was not presented to the Board,it could not
<br /> be presented to TERC, and TERC had no power to reach See 350 Neb.Admin.Code,ch.40,§005.03(1999).
<br /> the issue sua sponte. The appeal is restricted to questions
<br /> raised before the Board.TERC has no authority to consider The use of the property establishes whether it is exempt.
<br /> questions not raised before a county board of equalization. See §005.03B(3). As used in §77-202(1)(c), the term
<br /> Arcadian Fertilizer v.Sarpy Cry.Bd of Equal.,7 Neb.App. "exclusively"meant that "the primary or dominant use of
<br /> 499,583 N.W.2d 353(1998). - the property,and not an incidental use,[was]controlling in
<br /> determining whether a property [was] exempt from
<br /> In order for property to be exempt from taxation, a taxation." Pittman v.Sarpy Cry. Bd. of Equal., 258 Neb.
<br /> claimant must prove 390,401,603 N.W.2d 447,455(1999).A tax exemption for
<br /> charitable use is allowed because those exemptions"benefit
<br /> (1) that the subject property is owned by a charitable, the public generally and the organization performs services
<br /> educational,religious,or cemetery organization;(2)that the which the state is relieved pro tanto from performing."
<br /> subject property is not being used for financial gain or United Way v.Douglas Co. 13d. of Equal., 215 Neb. 1, 3,
<br /> profit to the owner or user,and(3)that the subject property 337 N.W.2d 103, 105 (1983). "[E]xclusive use means the
<br /> is being used exclusively for charitable, educational, primary or dominant use of property, as opposed to
<br /> religious,or cemetery purposes.... incidental use."Neb. Unit.Meth Ch. v.Scotts Bluff Cry.Bd
<br /> ofEquol., 243 Neb.412,416,499 N.W.2d 543,547(1993).
<br /> (Citation omitted.) Ev.Lath. Soc. v.Buffalo Cty. Bd. of
<br /> Equal., 230 Neb. 135, 139-40, 430 N.W.2d 502, 505 TERC found that Cambridge Court was not used
<br /> (1988). exclusively for charitable purposes, in part, because
<br /> Medicaid waiver program residents make up only 17
<br /> State law and regulations adopted by the Nebraska percent of the residents.It concluded that the record did not
<br /> Department of Property Assessment and Taxation specify support a finding that housing Medicaid waiver program
<br /> an additional two tests which must be satisfied in order to residents relieved the state or federal government of any
<br /> qualify for an exemption: the property cannot be used for burden because Cambridge Court was reimbursed, at a
<br /> the sale of alcoholic liquors for more than 20 hours per maximum, $1,750 per month to house each Medicaid
<br /> week and the property cannot be owned or used by an resident.The facility had previously been certified for the
<br /> organization which discriminates in membership or Medicaid waiver program when it was owned by a
<br /> employment based on race, color,or national origin. See,§ for-profit corporation.TERC found that Bethesda's fees are
<br /> 77-202(1)(c); 350 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 40, § 005.01 not moderate and
<br /> (1999). Those two tests are not before us. No questions
<br /> have been raised concerning whether Bethesda sells alcohol Page 460
<br /> on the property, whether it practices any kind of
<br /> discrimination, or whether it is used for financial gain or that the facility is in direct competition with a for-profit
<br /> [640 N.W.2d 403] profit of the owner. In its brief, the assisted living facility.
<br /> Board notes that its sole
<br /> TERC found that assisted living facilities have minimal
<br /> Page 459 medical education or training requirements for employees
<br /> and concluded that while Cambridge Court met the
<br /> dispute concerns whether the property is used exclusively definitions of an assisted living facility and a health care
<br /> for a charitable purpose. facility under state law,"it [did] not provide'medical care'
<br /> (as that term is defined under state law)."An assisted living
<br /> A Department of Property Assessment and Taxation facility provides "'accommodation,board, and an array of
<br /> regulation provides that an exemption is available only if services for assistance with or provision of personal care,
<br />
|