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activities of daily living, health maintenance activities, or unable to pay for them,Bethesda uses excess receipts from
<br /> other supportive services.' " See Neb.Rev.Stat. § other facilities to pay the deficit or cover expenses.
<br /> 71-2017.0103)(Supp.l999), currently at Neb.Rev.Stat. §
<br /> 71-406(1)(Cum.Supp.2000). TERC concluded that the Cambridge Court provides management of the premises by
<br /> services provided by the facility did not have any a full-time licensed nurse and nurses'aides on duty 24 hours
<br /> "exclusively" or"predominantly" charitable character and daily. The rooms are equipped with an emergency call
<br /> that Cambridge Court was not used exclusively or system monitored by nurses or aides. Monitoring of
<br /> predominantly for a charitable purpose. medication is provided, as is assistance with bathing,
<br /> dressing, and ambulation. Three meals are provided per
<br /> This court reviews a decision by TERC for error on the day,including snacks and special diets. The facility also
<br /> record of TERC. See §77-5019(5).Our inquiry is whether provides personal laundry service, weekly housekeeping,
<br /> the decision conforms to the law,is supported by competent weekly activities, programs, and scheduled transportation
<br /> evidence, and is neither arbitrary, capricious, nor for the residents. All utilities are paid except for telephone
<br /> unreasonable. service.
<br /> (640 N.W.2d 4041See County of Douglas v. Nebraska Tax Cambridge Court is a health care facility and has secured
<br /> Equal. & Rev.Comm., 262 Neb. 578, 635 N.W.2d 413 the required state license to function as an assisted living
<br /> (2001).Where an appellate court is required to review cases facility. In order to be eligible for admission to an assisted
<br /> for error appearing on the record,questions of law are living facility, an applicant must need or request the
<br /> reviewed de novo on the record.Id. facility's services due to age, infirmity, or physical
<br /> disability. See Neb.Rev.Stat § 71-20,116(3)
<br /> Bethesda argues that assisted living facilities currently (Cum.Supp.1998),recodified at Neb.Rev.Stat.§71-461(3)
<br /> provide services equivalent to those provided by nursing (Cum.Supp.2000).
<br /> homes in the past and that nursing homes have been granted
<br /> property tax exemptions. In Evangelical Lutheran Good The facility is also certified as a Medicaid waiver assisted
<br /> Samaritan Soc. v. County of Gage, 181 Neb. 831, 151 living provider. Eligibility for this program requires that
<br /> N.W.2d 446(1967), we held that even though a nursing residents qualify for Medicaid and have a need for care
<br /> home operated by a nonprofit company charged those who equal to residents in a nursing facility. Cambridge Court
<br /> were able to pay for its services,the facility was used for a also accepts welfare
<br /> charitable purpose. See, also, Bethesda Foundation v.
<br /> County of Saunders,200 Neb.574,264 N.W.2d 664(1978). Page 462
<br /> The primary or dominant use of the property is controlling residents who require a level of care equal to the level
<br /> in determining whether property is exempt from taxation. provided in a nursing home. It accepts individuals in need
<br /> Pittman v.Sarpy Cty. Bd. of Equal., 258 Neb. 390, 603 of noncomplex medical care and does not prescreen the
<br /> N.W.2d 447 (1999). In order to determine the primary use applicants for financial ability prior to admission. All
<br /> of the property residents are permitted to remain in the facility regardless
<br /> 1640 N.W.2d 4051 of their ability to pay for services
<br /> Page 461 - provided.
<br /> in question, we look to the evidence presented before Bethesda charges one inclusive monthly rate for room,
<br /> TERC. At the time Bethesda filed its exemption request, board,and medical services provided.The residents vary in
<br /> Neb.Rev.Stat. § 77-1511 (Reissue 1996), currently at age from 58 to 96, with the average age almost 85 years.
<br /> Neb.Rev.Stat. §77-5016(Supp.2001),provided that TERC All have a medical condition requiring some assistance. A
<br /> shall"determine anew all questions raised before the county nursing station provides a program of basic nursing care.
<br /> board of equalization which relate to the liability of the Residents are assisted with bathing, general hygiene,
<br /> property to assessment,or the amount thereof." dressing,eating, and ambulation. There are approximately
<br /> 28 paid employees, half of whom are involved in medical
<br /> The residents of Cambridge Court are admitted without care of the residents.
<br /> regard to race,color, or national origin and without regard
<br /> to the ability of the residents to pay. The criteria for Cambridge Court also provides Bible study, religious
<br /> admission is the need for care. No resident has ever been worship, weekly games, exercise classes, field trips, and
<br /> discharged for failure to pay, nor has Bethesda ever filed a transportation to local stores, restaurants, and other
<br /> suit to collect delinquent accounts.Accounting,payroll,and destinations.A certified activities director is employed.
<br /> other administrative tasks are performed at Bethesda's main
<br /> office. In the event a facility needs improvements or is We hold that TERC erred in finding that the assisted living
<br /> facility was not used for charitable purposes. TERC's
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