SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Someone owes Minnehaha County property taxes for the old Moose Lodge building on Burnside Street but commissioners aren't clear who that is and deferred the issue for two weeks.
After 20 minutes of testimony, it became clear there are three entities involved including the Moose Club, T.T.T., an investment company, and the Jesus Only Apostolic Church. Two non-profits and a for profit business.
According to testimony this morning, the Moose Lodge sold the building to T.T.T last September who sold it to the Church in early December. The Church was in front of the commission today asking for an abatement of the $17,000 tax bill
The Church was using the property most of last year as the Moose Lodge left the site. The building was used for services, a coop school and food bank by the Church as a non-profit.
The Church couldn't buy the building on its own in September so the investment company financed the building for the Church and the bank had to put it in T.T.T.'s name.
County Attorney Kersten Kappmeyer says Equalization works with the snapshot date of November 1st which shows T.T.T. as the property owner, a non tax-exempt entity. The county says November 1st is also the deadline to apply for exempt status. And since it was still the Moose Lodge in November of 2015, the Church couldn't apply.
Commissioner will want to see a timeline of transactions between the three entities.