News

Ask Matt ... how much property is tax exempt

By Matt Matteson, Published: April 22, 2016

Q. How much of the property in the City of Hendersonville is exempt from taxation?
Let’s start with the big number of $1.5 billion, the total 2015-2016 assessed valuation of real property (as opposed to personal property) that lies within the city limits. Of that, about $369 million or 24.6 percent is classified as exempt from taxation. State law requires that each county’s assessor must review one-eighth of the exempted property in the county each year.
It was difficult to come up with an exact categorical breakdown of the $369 million for exempt properties because over the years some government land tracts were titled differently. Nevertheless, here’s my best effort. Government buildings were the largest exempt group with $102 million of value. Churches and church schools came to $72 million. Pardee Hospital’s dozen tracts totaled $62 million but the new Pardee-BRCC-Wingate Health Sciences Center (what I call “The Big Glass House”) could add another $20 million next year. Carolina Village (yes, it’s a nonprofit) property was $38 million, and the four public schools in town plus the administration building totaled $28 million in value. Public housing units list at $13 million, elderly and disabled exemptions came to $10 million, and all other exemptions, including nonprofit organizations, totaled $44 million.
Yes, our County Seat does carry the load for tax-exempt properties. That’s kind of the way it is all across the fruited plain.

Q. How long has the Christian Science Reading Room been on Main Street and how can they afford such prime real estate?
The Reading Room has been on the corner of Main Street and Fifth Avenue perhaps 30 years occupying what was formerly a shoe store. The Reading Room is fully supported by the local Christian Science Church in Hendersonville. Some funds are also raised from the sale of books and Bibles. Marjorie Krueger, the head librarian who spends Fridays at the reading room explained the church’s mission. “We don’t do soup kitchens,” said Krueger. “This is how we give back to the community.” Krueger said that many patrons drop by to pick up a copy of the Christian Science Monitor, one of the most respected national publications. Krueger added, “We have a back room where there is a quiet space. Anyone, not just church members, may come to read, study, pray or just sit by our fireplace and take a break.” They have now added a new flat screen TV so they can offer media programs developed by their Mother Church in Boston.

Send questions to askmattm@gmail.com.