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Elkhart County board hears Cat SNIP request for charitable property tax exemption
Summary
Cat SNIP, a local feline spay-and-neuter nonprofit, told the Elkhart County Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals it operates largely in Elkhart County and seeks a 2025 exemption; the board took testimony and accepted materials but made no decision at the hearing.
Cat SNIP asked the Elkhart County Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals on Aug. 19, 2025, to exempt a US‑20 property from 2025 property taxes on charitable grounds, citing its low‑cost spay-and-neuter, adoption and trap‑neuter‑return services.
The petition was presented by Ashley Jordan, president of Cat SNIP, and Melissa McNeil, vice president, who described the nonprofit’s 11 years of operation and said Cat SNIP has spayed or neutered more than 11,000 cats. Jordan told the board the group runs about 30 surgical appointments per week, partners with the Humane Society of Elkhart County for clinic services, and uses the US‑20 site primarily as a holding and education space. She said most of Cat SNIP’s work — “90 to 95%” — serves Elkhart County residents.
Why it matters: a charitable exemption would remove a parcel from the county tax rolls and could affect local revenues and property valuations if granted. The board asked about on‑site housing of animals, the use of outbuildings and recent site changes. Jordan said adoptable cats free‑roam on the house’s upper floor, feral cats for TNR work are caged while awaiting appointments, a donated 14‑by‑40 shed was placed on the property in March (used as additional holding), and a detached garage and a smaller shed are used for storage and event materials. Board members noted the dwelling’s residential classification and asked whether anyone resided on site; Jordan said the dwelling is not currently used as a residence.
No ruling at meeting: the board received printed evidence (brochure) and sworn testimony and adjourned the hearing without issuing a decision. Settles told petitioners the panel would review notes and notify them by mail; further appeal would go to the Indiana Board of Tax Review if they disagree with any eventual ruling.
Details and limits: petitioners described fundraising and donation use for operations and said no individual benefits monetarily from property use; they identified a successor organization (HUF Foundation) for assets should Cat SNIP dissolve. The board recorded the evidence; no motion or vote on the exemption was made during the session.
A closing note: the hearing was conducted under Indiana Code 6‑1.1‑10‑16; the board emphasized that it takes evidence presented at the hearing into account when making its later written determination.
