Some City and County governments are taking an odd approach to “taxing” all churches and schools by doubling their water bill.  How is this happening?  City ordinances, like the one in Canyonville, Oregon, provide that “churches, schools, and nonprofits” will be charged double for the normal water rates.  Through this ordinance and other similar ordinances, nonprofits are being charged more than their fair share for their water usage.  Whether this practice is legal is yet to be known.  However, the issue is currently in front of an Oregon judge who will soon decide the legality of the City and County’s practice.      

While we await the judge’s decision, please read the article “Government Finds a Way to Tax Churches,” written by Doug Wead.  Wead is the chairman of the board of Canyonville Christian Academy, one of the organizations that is a victim of this indirect taxation.  

http://dougwead.wordpress.com/2012/03/16/city-finds-way-to-tax-churches-and-non-profits/

Tags: Canyonville, churches, government, indirect taxation, nonprofits, Oregon, overcharged water bills, schools, taxes