Board grants retroactive exemptions to Murphy Mentoring Group for 2022–23 after nonprofit presentation

The Marion County Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals approved retroactive property-tax exemptions for Murphy Mentoring Group’s respite house for the 2022 and 2023 assessment years.

Jennifer Murphy, cofounder, described the nonprofit’s work and the facility’s purpose: “Our original purpose was to, empower children through specialized mentoring and educational services,” Murphy said, adding the organization established a respite house to provide short-term stays so children in crisis could receive care without immediate placement in residential treatment. She said the respite house is a Medicaid-billable service, used to provide temporary stays of up to 14 days with a required 30-day break between stays per Division of Mental Health and Addictions guidance.

Murphy told the board the group purchased the property in 2022 and was unaware that a Form 136 exemption filing was required; after discovering tax bills, the organization filed and sought retroactive relief to avoid financial hardship. County staff confirmed Murphy Mentoring Group had a timely-filed exemption approved for 2024 and that the 2022–23 filings were submitted later, prompting the retroactive request.

Board members asked procedural questions and about program operations. Murphy said the house is used solely for the program (no permanent residents) and that staff-to-child supervision ratios are maintained; she described partnerships with community mental-health providers, IMPD and Ivy Tech for internships and work-study. The board’s motion to allow retroactive exemptions for 2022 and 2023 passed on a voice vote; staff noted the exemptions will not remove stormwater and solid-waste charges, which will remain on future bills.

County staff told the applicant the corrected bill will reflect removal of property tax for the exempt years and will leave modest recurring fees for stormwater/solid-waste and any penalties as applicable.