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March 26, 2007 (Regular Meetinq) <br />Page 311 <br />Commissioner Privette made a MOTION to refund the taxes for 2005 and <br />release the taxes for 2006 to Union Lodge #618 and. to have the County <br />Attorney compose detailed findings of fact to support the motion. <br />There was a brief discussion on personal liability and Mr. Koch <br />responded to several questions. <br />Commissioner Privette's motion died for lack of a second. <br />Mr. Mills stated if any taxpayer feels aggrieved by the Board's <br />decision and brings an action against the Commission members, the County <br />Attorney would make sure that Union Lodge #618 was joined in that proceeding. <br />Unless something phenomenal happens, he said Union Lodge #618 would be able <br />to refund the taxes, should it be held liable for the taxes in such a <br />lawsuit. <br />There was a brief discussion. <br />Commissioner Mynatt made a MOTION to refund the taxes for 2005 and <br />release the taxes for 2006 to Union Lodge #618 and to have the County <br />Attorney compose detailed findings of fact to support the motion. <br />Commissioner Privette seconded the motion. <br />Vice Chairman Juba stated her intent to vote against the motion. <br />Mr. Koch interjected that if he understood Mr. Mills correctly, he was <br />offering to allow the Board to be indemnified by Union Lodge #618. He said <br />there is nothing to prohibit it. <br />Mr. Mills said to the extent that offer is consistent with public <br />policy and the State of North Carolina, the Lodge would specifically and <br />explicitly offer to indemnify the Commissioners. <br />Commissioner Mynatt amended her motion to include the indemnification <br />offered by Mr. Mills on behalf of the Lodge. Commissioner Privette also <br />amended his second. <br />Vice Chairman Juba called for discussion. Hearing none, she called for <br />a vote. The MOTION unanimously carried with Vice Chairman Juba and <br />Commissioners Mynatt and Privette voting for and Commissioner White <br />abstaining. <br />FINDINGS OF FACT <br />UNION LODGE #61B <br />REQUEST FOR REFUND AND RELEASE OF TAXES <br />1. The Union Lodge #618 ("Lodge 618") is entitled to an ad valorem <br />property tax exemption for its real estate being exclusively used for meeting <br />or lodge purposes, pursuant to N. C. Gen. Stat. ~ 105-275 (18). <br />2. As of December 30, 2004, Lodge 618 owned two real estate parcels <br />in Cabarrus County: (1) the "New Lodge", a building and tract located at <br />Highway 601 and Cal Bost Road (PIN 5546918810); and (2) the "Old Lodge", a <br />building and tract located at Highways 601 and 24-27 (PIN 5559199624). <br />3. Lodge 618 moved its lodge meetings to the New Lodge prior to <br />2005. <br />9. On December 30, 2009, Lodge 618 attempted to transfer title to <br />the Old Lodge to Barrett 0. Fl owe. Attorney David Williams, who prepared the <br />deed, accidentally attached the legal description for the New Lodge to the <br />deed conveying the Old Lodge. As a result, Barrett Flowe obtained title to <br />the New Lodge instead of the Old Lodge, although Lodge 618 continued to <br />occupy and use the New Lodge. <br />5. Mr. Williams was made aware of the mistake by the Tax Assessor's <br />office in May, 2005, when it became apparent to that office that the wrong <br />property had been conveyed. Although Mr. Williams attempted to correct the <br />error, Mr. Flowe would not consent to sign the correction deed until <br />December, 2006. <br />6. Because the real estate and tax records of Cabarrus County <br />indicated that Lodge 618 did not own the New Lodge in Tax Years 2005 and <br />2006, it was not eligible for the tax exemption on that property. A total of <br />