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Grand County postpones National Ability Center review; denies Wabi Sabi tax-exemption request
Summary
During Board of Equalization session, the commission postponed consideration of the National Ability Center’s tax-exemption application for missing documents and denied a separate request from Wabi Sabi, voting 5–2; commissioners also approved a correction of a factual error on a 2025 parcel assessment.
The Board of Equalization and then the Grand County Commission handled a pair of charity tax‑exemption requests and a property assessment correction at its March 3 meeting.
Mr. Barber presented a recommended correction of a factual error for parcel 01-0001-01-05 and said the recourse was suggested by a State Tax Commission specialist; Commissioner McCarty moved to accept the appeal and approve the correction and associated 2025 taxable value. The motion passed unanimously.
The commission then considered two exemption requests. Willie Ford, CEO of the National Ability Center, told commissioners the organization now owns the parcel under review and is continuing charitable programming in Moab. County staff and the county attorney said documents were missing from the submitted record; staff asked that Treasurer Chris Kaufman be the point of contact to resolve outstanding items. Commissioner McCready moved to postpone the National Ability Center item to allow a complete application and supporting documents; the motion carried.
Leah Bear, director of Wabi Sabi nonprofit, asked for an exemption on property at 11001 Murphy Lane. Commissioners debated whether the application met statutory criteria for a charitable exemption — including proofs that services are provided without material reward and that commercial activity on the property is incidental to charitable activities. Commissioner Brian moved to deny the exemption under the cited statutory findings; the motion passed 5–2, with Commissioners McGannon and Winfield recorded in opposition. Several commissioners encouraged Wabi Sabi to reapply after relocation and full documentation.
The commission also requested the assessor compile an annual list of active exemptions for the commission’s review at a future meeting.
The Board of Equalization business concluded and the regular meeting opened at 4:32 p.m.
