Assembly of God Church receives tax exemption

Churches aren't required to pay real estate taxes and Assembly of God Church is no different.

The Plymouth County Supervisors on Tuesday exempted Assembly of God Chuch, in Le Mars, from paying $23,000 in property taxes assessed July 1, 2007.

Attorney Craig Bauerly, representing the church, said the former Roller Rink had been purchased from Wells' Dairy last year, but the closing on the sale of the property wasn't until July 2, 2007.

The county's fiscal year ends June 30, and the next year's taxes were assessed July 1, 2007.

Wells' Dairy had paid its taxes until the time the church purchased the property.

"If I had known the signifcance, I would have moved the signing forward," Bauerly said.

He said the property has been continually used for a church, something the law requires, and the supervisors would not be setting a precedent as the tax forgiveness for a church has been done in the past.

"I've attended a few services there," said Supervisor John Schneider. "It's definitely a church."

The supervisors also:

*Reviewed the 2007-08 driver's license department's report learning the $3 one-time surcharge for each driver's license stopped July 1. Licenses now cost $20 compared to $23.

*Learned that 300th Street from Juniper Avenue east 1 mile to Kestrel Avenue closed Monday for a bridge replacement.

*Heard Concord Avenue from 180th Street north 1 mile to Highway 3 is set to open Friday following completion of a bridge replacement.