ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A county tax official has denied a request for a property tax exemption from operators of a Christian theme park, who said they deserved the break as a religious and educational institution.
Park administrators plan to challenge the decision.
The Holy Land Experience, which opened in February, was developed by Zion's Hope, a nonprofit, nondenominational Christian ministry.
Orange County Property Appraiser Bill Donegan denied an exemption for the park, but granted the tax-exempt status to part of the property where Zion's Hope's administrative and education offices are located.
Donegan determined the park was an attraction and a business.