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230 <br /> <br /> Mr. Kenneth Ackerman, Executive Director of MACAA, <br />stated that the rationale for the request is that MACAA is a <br />non-profit organization operated mostly with public funds. <br />Mr. Ackerman requested that the tax exempt status be granted <br />for the following reasons: 1) Hope House is a regional <br />program of benefit to the community; 2) other similar <br />agencies have previously received tax exempt status; and 3) <br />the amount of funds that would be lost to'the City as a <br />result of the tax exempt status would be minimal. Mr. <br />Ackerman noted that acquisition and operating funds for Hope <br />House have come from sources other than the City, including <br />extensive private support. <br /> <br /> Ms. Louise Greer, a community volunteer and board member <br />of the Friends of Hope House, recommended that tax exempt <br />status be granted to Hope House. <br /> <br /> Ms. Patricia Higgins of Lexington Avenue, a board member <br />of the Friends of Hope House, supported granting.tax exempt <br />status to Hope House. <br /> <br /> Ms. Marsha Kennedy of 802 Cynthianna Avenue, the Board <br />of Realtors representative on the MACAA Board, supported tax <br />exempt status for Hope House. <br /> <br /> As there were no further speakers the public hearing was <br />closed. <br /> <br /> Mr. Buck questioned whether it would be preferable to <br />grant tax exempt status to Hope House or to have the <br />equivalent amount of funding requested annually during the <br />budget process so that the subsidy remains visible. <br /> <br /> Ms. Waters stated that while she supports the concept <br />and program of Hope House, she has reviewed the previous <br />Council's struggle with the issue, and would prefer to adopt <br />a policy which would have Council consider the matter on an <br />annual basis as well as take into consideration those <br />agencies which have previously been granted tax exempt <br />status. <br /> <br /> Rev. Edwards questioned the time involved for Hope House <br />to appear before Council on an annual basis and noted concern <br />that a future Council might not support Hope House's budget <br />request. <br /> <br /> Mr. Buck noted that ~CAA already appears before Council <br />every year during the budget process. Mr. Buck stated that <br />it was important'that the present Council not make decisions <br />for future Councils. <br /> <br /> Rev. Edwards stated that he would support the request <br />for tax exempt status. <br /> <br /> Mr. Vandever stated that while he agrees in principle <br />with adopting a consistent policy, he felt that was difficult <br />to accomplish, especially due to the agencies which have <br />previously been granted tax exempt status. Mr. Vandever <br />stated that he would support granting the exempt as a Way for <br />social agencies to be assured of some level of fundingt <br />and added that the pressures of the budget might work against <br />funding for a particular agency. <br /> <br /> Mr. ToWe stated that he favor granting a subsidy on a <br />yearly basis and that he felt the surrounding counties should <br />contribute due to the fact that HOpe HouSe is a regional <br />program. <br /> <br /> Rev. Edwards made a motion to approve the resolution <br />granting tax exempt status to Hope House. Mr. Vandever <br />seconded the motion. The resolution was denied by the <br />following vote. Ayes: Rev. Edwards, Mr. Vandever. Noes: <br /> <br /> <br />