Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Tax Exempt Status topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident asks commission to resolve tax-exempt status for Hillside Christian Academy
Summary
A representative of Horizons Church asked the commission to clarify the taxability of Hillside Christian Academy for the 2023–24 tax year, saying the school met state recognition and nonprofit criteria but county tax records still showed a tax status issue.
Greg Dale, facilities director for Horizons Church and former appraisal supervisor in the assessor’s office, asked the Harrison County Commission on Oct. 1 to resolve a taxability issue for Hillside Christian Academy.
Dale told commissioners he had previously raised the issue for the 2024 tax year and that the county had taken action then, but follow-up at the assessor’s office did not occur. He said he submitted documentation including a letter from the church’s executive pastor stating the school was open for the 2023–24 year, a school calendar showing an Aug. 28, 2023 start date, enrollment statistics for 2023–24, a state superintendent’s certificate of exemption for 2023–24, an IRS determination letter dated Sept. 2, 2022, and a business registration dated Jan. 5, 2023.
Dale said volunteers and staff were actively working on school facilities over the summer but that classes were held in 2023–24. He argued, based on his previous experience in the assessor's office, that the property should be tax-exempt. He asked the commission to resolve the matter on behalf of Horizons Church and Hillside Christian Academy; the commission acknowledged the comment but did not take formal action at the meeting.
No additional documentation or formal county determination was made on the record at the Oct. 1 meeting; Dale requested staff follow-up.
