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Well, not usually, though the good people of Nome have been at the forefront of dealing urban polar bear infestations.<\/p>\nWell, not usually, though the good people of Nome have been at the forefront of dealing urban polar bear infestations.<\/p>\n
In this case, however, if Nome decides to charge sales taxes to churches and other non-profits<\/a>, it will be a very big deal:<\/p>\n Nome, Alaska, is a tiny town of less than 4000 people. Despite its size, its name is well-known, showing up in popular culture venues from “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour” of the 1950’s, to “The X-Files,” to “The Simpsons Movie.” And Nome is the finish line of the 1049 mile-long Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.<\/span> \u201cYou get rid of the sales tax exemption, most of the time these other exemptions aren\u2019t given \u2014 we\u2019re a very nice city [to do] it,\u201d City Council member Matt Culley said, according to KNOM<\/a>. \u201cWhen we sit down at budget time, [with] the numbers to look at, if we want to donate that [money back to nonprofits], the money can go all back in \u2026 but we have control over it now, as opposed to it going whatever direction that we have it going now.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n This is a very good idea.<\/p>\n
<\/span> Nome, Alaska, may one day soon be known for another reason: as the first American town to tax its churches.<\/span>
<\/span> Strapped for cash, the town’s Finance Director, Julie Liew believes taxing churches and other non-profits could raise $300,000 annually. The city council has already met to debate the idea, and it looks like they may move forward.<\/p>\n