County continues exemptions for monarch sanctuary and historical society

Ohio County staff told the board on June 25 that Cardinal Land Conservancy, which recently purchased Oak Heritage Conservancy — a monarch butterfly sanctuary on Dipple Road — filed the required paperwork to continue its 136 property-tax exemption, and the board voted to maintain the exemption for the new owner.

The board also reviewed a routine renewal for the Ohio County Historical Society, which operates local history displays, genealogy services and meeting rooms on South Walnut. Staff said the society filed the exemption paperwork but noted one parcel behind the display that includes a rented mobile home owned by Elden Fure is partly taxable; that portion will continue to receive a bill. "They do have one parcel that is partially taxable," staff said when describing the society's filings.

Why it matters: continuing the exemptions keeps conservation land and civic history programming off the tax rolls in the short term while ensuring any revenue-producing portions (the rented mobile home) remain taxed. The historical society receives occasional financial support from the city of Rising Sun and Ohio County for repairs, staff said, and the board treated the filings as consistent with other counties' practice.

Details: staff described Oak Heritage as land used for milkweed and monarch habitat and said the new owner filed "the proper paperwork." The motion to continue the exemption for the conservancy was made by Ken and seconded by Mary; the board voted in favor. For the historical society, staff confirmed the organization files every two years and recommended continuing the 136 exemption; the board approved the continuation so the organization can continue its public programs.

Next steps: no additional follow-up was scheduled for these two items; staff said they had emailed peers in other counties and found similar exemptions in those jurisdictions.