To the Editor,

Raisin Township assessor David Powell and Director of Lenawee County Equalization Marty Marshall continue to cause detriment to my family, as they continue to tax property we don’t own. I spent hours looking over legal descriptions and chains of title to find this infringement. Our file has information outlining this conspiring abuse and continued Illegal practice. I hope this type of practice by Raisin Township, Lenawee County Equalization Department is an isolated incident. However, after conversing with others in the Township, this appears to be systemic.  Families are being hurt and very little has been done.

I encourage everyone who believes this abuse is happening to them file a Request for Investigation (contact information below).

I listed some facts below that should help real property owners understand how real property must be assessed and how arbitrary values are currently being used. Please keep in mind, the only way citizens will ever change status quo, is sending a united and concise message to our ELECTED OFFICIALS.  Chain of command is as follows:

Local assessor, Board of Review, State Tax Commission, Michigan Tax Tribunal and contact Lenawee County Equalization (Director), Lenawee County Commissioners.

(Please send your complaints or request in writing)

Michigan Tax Tribunal Court said “True Cash Value” is law, not guidelines.
Michigan Tax Commission said our Guidelines are guidelines and give assessors a starting point.
Michigan Supreme Court said “True Cash Value” is law and our tax commission shall correct assessment roll.
MCL 211.27

THE STATE TAX COMMISSION HAS JURISDICTION PURSUANT TO MCL 211.154(1), TO CORRECT THE TAXABLE VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY INCORRECTLY REPORTED OR OMITTED INCLUDING THAT WHICH IS ERRONEOUSLY RECORDED ON THE LOCAL ASSESSMENT ROLL

G. Foreclosure Sales - Reminder
On August 15, 2007 the State Tax Commission adopted guidelines for Assessors to use for verification for inclusion of foreclosure sales in sales studies. The proper selection of sales for inclusion in these ratio studies is critically important to the development of uniform and accurate assessments. The State Tax Commission has established these guidelines to be used when reviewing sales for sales-ratio studies. The purpose of the guideline is to provide direction when compiling a “desk-reviewed” sales study. Desk-review means determining whether a particular sale will be used in a study based on transfer documents and other information in the office without additional investigation or field inspection. Deviation from the guidelines should be based on investigation of the transaction beyond the normal steps of a desk review process. The recent increase in foreclosures has caused those transactions to have an impact on the real estate market in some parts of the state. These guidelines are adopted from Certified Appraisers not assessor guidelines. Certified Appraisers set value and assessors drive by sometimes as they set arbitrary value.

Call, email and write a letter “REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATION” today.
Contact: Kelli Sobel, she will be waiting for your call and will be happy to help?
 
STATE TAX COMMISSION —

Email: State-Tax-Commission@michigan.gov [1]
sobelk2@michigan.gov [2]  
Website: www.michigan.gov/statetaxcommission [3]
Executive
Director, Kelli Sobel,                             
517-335-3429, PO Box 30471,
430 West Allegan (48922),
Lansing, Michigan 48909

Dove Waynick
Raisin Township