More city property owners appealing local tax assessments

By DEB WUETHRICH

 In a typical year, Tecumseh City Assessor Amanda Lacelle might be appearing before the Michigan Tax Tribunal with four or five cases this time of year. This month alone, however, she is scheduled to provide information for six cases. Michigan Tax Tribunal cases for this area are heard at the Lenawee County Court house.

“In Tecumseh, it’s not as bad as in other places I’ve heard about, but there are a few more appeals than in a typical year when the economy isn’t as bad,” said Lacelle. She said that six or seven of the cases are residential, while four to five are commercial.

“One of those being a large industrial case,” said Lacelle. Lenawee Stamping Corporation has appealed their tax assessment, and the assessor’s office has been compiling information for that case, which is still in its early phases. “That one’s going to be a big one, and it could be a long time before it’s heard if it goes to full court,” Lacelle said. She said negotiations continue to see if things can’t be settled in a mutually satisfactory manner in the meantime.

In Tecumseh, city revenues from property taxes will be down from between $275,000 and $300,000 this year over last year’s figures, with approximately $20 million less in taxable property values.

Lacelle said people are looking more closely at their property taxes, especially in a tough economic climate, and also at a time when a high number of foreclosures can give a false picture of true values. She said some property owners will come and talk with her first, which she encourages.  The appeal process can, however, include appearing before the local Board of Appeals, but if property owners still feel their assessment is too high, they can go before the Michigan Tax Tribunal.

“It can take up to two years for the case to be heard,” Lacelle said. “I don’t take it personally — everybody has the right to appeal. I do hope people will have a conversation with me about their situation so we can talk about it first. Sometimes when I explain it they understand why it is what it is.”

Lacelle said that she is reducing assessments, but people don’t always understand that there are certain things that an assessor can’t control. “What we do and how we do it is  mandated by the state and property tax law,” Lacelle said. “We have to do things a certain way.”

Going to the Michgan Tax Tribunal doesn’t necessarily mean the property owner will win, getting their assessment reduced, but it’s a system of appeals set up for property owners to pursue their cases. In a recession, more people are taking the extra step, keeping assessment offices busy. In Tecumseh, Lacelle said she is a “one woman show” whereas some municipalities have multiple people in the department to help handle everyday matters as well as the appeals.

Lacelle said some people don’t realize that they need to pay their tax bill in full, even if they are appealing. “If they win, they will get the difference back, but they still have to pay the bill,” she said.