Metropolitan Government of Nashville v. Hillsboro Land Co.

436 S.W.2d 850, 222 Tenn. 431, 26 McCanless 431, 1968 Tenn. LEXIS 441
CourtTennessee Supreme Court
DecidedDecember 13, 1968
StatusPublished
Cited by8 cases

This text of 436 S.W.2d 850 (Metropolitan Government of Nashville v. Hillsboro Land Co.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Tennessee Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Metropolitan Government of Nashville v. Hillsboro Land Co., 436 S.W.2d 850, 222 Tenn. 431, 26 McCanless 431, 1968 Tenn. LEXIS 441 (Tenn. 1968).

Opinions

Mr. Justice Cresoh

delivered the opinion of the Court.

In this cause, the original bill for a declaratory judgment was filed in the Chancery Court, Part II, of Davidson County, by The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. Defendants were Hills-boro Land Co., Inc., Belz Investment Company, Nabco Corporation, U. Grant Browning, Arthur K. Hellermann, Attorney General George F. McCanless, and Metropolitan Tax Assessor Clifford Allen.

The original bill seeks a determination of whether or not Chapter 325, Public Acts of Tennessee (1967), by implication, repeals Chapter 312, Public Acts of Tennessee (1967); or, alternatively, whether or not Chapter 312 violates Article II, Section 28 of the Constitution of Tennessee.

The Metropolitan Tax Assessor filed an answer to the bill, joining in the prayer of the complainant that the [434]*434court below determine the validity and constitutionality of Chapter 312. By order the answer was withdrawn and Mr. Allen realigned as a party complainant.

The defendant George F. McCanless demurred to the bill of the complainants only to the extent that it attacked the constitutionality of Chaper 312.

All of the other named defendants, with the exception of Arthur K. Hellermann, demurred to the bill.

Arthur K. Hellermann filed an answer to the bill; but, by order of the Chancellor, the answer was withdrawn and a demurrer of the same tenor and effect as that of the defendant Hillsboro Land Co., Ino. was substituted therefor. The demurrers of the defendants insist that Chapter 325 does not repeal Chapter 312, and that Chapter 312 does not violate Article II, Section 28 of the Constitution.

Following realignment of the parties, the case was heard upon the demurrers. The Chancellor held (1) that Chapter 325 was comprehensive in nature and “specifically” covered the assessment of property, and (2) that Chapter 325, by implication, repealed Chapter 312. The question of whether or not Chapter 312 violates Article II, Section 28 of the Constitution of Tennessee was pretermitted. The demurrers of defendants were overruled. Thereupon, defendants prayed and were granted a discretionary appeal to this Court.

The complainant below, the appellee in this Court, is a metropolitan government of the State of Tennessee, created pursuant to T.C.A. sec. 6-3701 et seq. Hereinafter, the complainant-appellee shall be described as The Metropolitan Government.

[435]*435Tlie defendant Hillsboro Land Co., Inc. is a Tennessee corporation which owns an apartment complex, the “Versailles Apartments”, located in Nashville, Tennessee. The property on which the complex now stands was vacant as of January 10, 1967. After January 1, 1967, improvements which had an estimated value as of. January 1, 1968 of $1,700,000.00 were placed on the property. On January 1, 1968, the improvements were estimated to have been 70% complete, but construction was expected to continue until April, 1968.

The defendant Belz Investment Company, a partnership, is the owner of a large tract of land in Nashville, Tennessee. The tract is the location of “100 Oaks”, a, large shopping center. As of January 10, 1967, the tract was largely vacant, but three buildings were partially or wholly complete. A construction permit for $3,250,-000.00 was issued January 24,1967, and construction was begun of a large mall building and other structures. More than forty establishments participated in a “grand opening” on October 26, 1967, and other firms have subsequently opened for business. It is estimated that approximately 80% of the shopping center was complete as of January 1, 1968.

The defendant Nabco Corporation is a Tennessee corporation which owns “Parkway Towers”, an office building and parking garage in Nashville, Tennessee. This property was assessed as a vacant lot as of January 10, 1967. As of January 1, 1968, approximately $2,000,-000.00 had been invested in the improvements on the property. It is estimated that this investment represents 45% of the total to be invested.

The defendant U. Grant Browning, and others, are the owners of the “Country Squire Apartments”, located in [436]*436Nashville, Tennessee. As of January 10, 1967, this property was assessed at $36,000.00. Construction of the apartment complex began February 1, 1967, and was from 90% to 95% complete as of January 1, 1968. As of that date, the estimated value of the partially completed apartment units was $625,000.00.

The defendant Arthur K. Hellermann owns the “Edge-field Garden Apartments” in Nashville, Tennessee. The defendant acquired this property from the Nashville Housing Authority January 13, 1967. A construction permit was issued January 24, 1967, in the amount of $650,000.00. As of January 1, 1968, the buildings were virtually complete, except that exterior painting, landscaping and sidewalks were unfinished. It is estimated that the improvements were 70% complete on January 1, 1968.

What is said above brings us squarely face to face with the questions (1) whether or not Chapter 312, Public Acts of 1967, is impliedly repealed by Chapter 325 of the Public Acts of that year, and (2) whether or not the postponement of assessment embodied in Chapter 312, Public Acts of 1967, of real estate in the process of improvement accords with the basic source of all taxation in Tennessee — Article II, Sections 28 and 29 of the Constitution.

All legislative taxing authority in this State is vested by Article II of the Constitution of Tennessee. Sections 28 and 29 are those in focus here. They are, in substance as follows:

Article II, Section 28 of the Constitution requires all property to be taxed according to its value, so that taxes shall be equal and uniform throughout the State. Au[437]*437thority is granted to the Legislature to except (1) such property as may he (a) held by the State, Counties, Cities and Towns, and (b) nsed for public or corporation purposes, and (2) such property as may be (a) held, and (b) used for purposes which are purely religious, charitable, scientific, literary or educational. Authority is granted to the Legislature to direct the manner of ascertainment of the value of property to be taxed.

Article II, Section 29 of the Constitution grants to the Legislature power to authorize Counties and Towns to impose taxes for County and corporation purposes. Section 29 requires all property taxed thereunder to be taxed according to its value and pursuant to the principles established in regard to State taxation.

Prior to 1967, the basic statutory enactments, pursuant to the above authority, with reference to ad valorem taxation, were embodied in the following sections:

“67-601. Period of assessment. — In order to provide revenue for state, county, and municipal purposes, personal property, privileges, and polls shall be assessed annually, and real estate shall be assessed every two (2) years in the odd years.”
“67-602. Reassessment of real estate to include improvements.

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Bluebook (online)
436 S.W.2d 850, 222 Tenn. 431, 26 McCanless 431, 1968 Tenn. LEXIS 441, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/metropolitan-government-of-nashville-v-hillsboro-land-co-tenn-1968.