Commissioners Hear From Churches, Assessor, To Discuss Property Taxes On Churches With Daycare

The issue will return to the commissioners' March agenda.

One of the items on the agenda for the regular meeting of the Cherry County Commissioners was concerning the St. John’s Episcopal Church and Valentine Presbyterian Church regarding the use of part of the church building being taxed when being used by for-profit day care providers.  According to Pastor Gary Smith at the Presbyterian Church, after the church spent thousands of dollars making the space usable for the purpose of day care, the Cherry County Assessor approached them stating that the space being used for this purpose would be subject to property taxes. Commissioner DeNaeyer stated that he would "do everything in his power to to keep that from happening."

No action was taken at the meeting, but the issue will return to the March agenda.