Bay County Property Appraiser Dan Sowell asks the court to dismiss the claims of a lawsuit saying that he violated and breached religious rights through the cancellation of the tax-exempt status of numerous church properties. This includes one property that has operated as a nightclub during the Spring Break.
News Herald stated that the attorneys of Sowell already filed their response last December 23. A month earlier than that, the Faith Christian Family Church owner Markus Bishop filed suit that requests the court to restore tax exemptions on three of its properties that were revoked by Sowell.
The cancellation was due to one building being discovered to be operating as a Spring Break nightclub. As it was described, the nightclub hosted foam, lingerie, and 'anything but clothes' parties, Inquisitr reported.
Sowell then responded to this, saying he denies or requires evidence for most of the accusations. This then led to asking the court in dismissing the final claim of the lawsuit that the church was unconstitutionally discriminated against as based on court records.
According to Forbes, The Life Center: A Spiritual Community, which is located at 9721 Thomas Drive, was running a schedule of seven days a week party in the name of Amnesia: The Tabernacle. This was from February 28 up to March 16. But the Faith Christian asserts in the lawsuit that it decided to close the operation upon knowing that 'Spring Break Amnesia' has gone astray the boundaries of the intended outreach mission.
Two more properties were added as well to the tax rolls after the Amnesia incident. This includes a vacant space located nearby The Life Center and a huge home found at 3703 Preserve Bay Boulevard. The said home is considered a mansion known as the center of court controversy.
As of the moment, the attorneys for the Faith Christian Family Church have yet to be contacted. Sowell, on the other, avoided to give further comments.
