January 2025

 Happy new year, everyone!

After a year as mayor I’m officially repeating myself in this space as I tell you about the only means you have of influencing your property taxes. Yes, I’m talking about the Board of Review that convenes in March to hear property owners appeal their assessments.


However, if you just sit down and say “I think my taxes are too high” your request will be denied.


Your first step should be to get hold of the official assessment card for your house to see what the city believes you have. If the card says you have a finished basement, and you don't. You should bring that to the assessor's attention. If the card says you have an outbuilding that was removed, bring that to the assessor's attention. These items add value to your property, and when you remove them your property’s taxable value may be adjusted downward by the Board of Review.


No need to wait for March though. The assessor can make changes to your card any time of the year if you prove that information on the card is wrong or out of date. You can also request to be added to the assessor’s “field review.” Then an assessor will visit your house to compare reality to your assessment card, making changes as needed.


Another thing you can do is see what similar houses in your area have sold for recently. The easiest way to do that is to use the Realtor.com web site. But a friendly Realtor can help you with that, too, and do a better job.


If you can prove to the Board of Review that the assessed value of your house is high when compared to other properties in your neighborhood, you might have a successful appeal.


Home repairs


Homeowners sometimes postpone improvements for fear of increasing their property taxes. However, many home improvements are exempt from increasing the taxable value of your property.


Generally speaking, if it's not a “structural addition” it won't increase your property’s taxable value. If you’re merely replacing something you already have (including windows, siding, masonry, roofing, gutters, doors, driveways, wiring, porches, awnings) with basically the same thing, it doesn’t affect your taxable value or property taxes.


Call Assessor Kathy Roslund at (989) 463-9514 for details or clarification.


Help wanted


The five-member Board of Review had one vacancy that remained unfilled in 2024, and now we have two with the resignation of Mary Reed. That leaves us with three members: Sue Whitford, Diandra Messer and Yours Truly. If one of us can’t attend the March meetings for any reason there will be no quorum, and your appeals won’t be heard.


We raised Board of Review pay last year, so members now get $216 for each of two six-hour meetings in March and $108 for any shorter meeting we have. You can’t live on it, obviously, but it’s a great way to get some spending money and do a service to your community at the same time. A win/win if you ask me.


If you’d like to fill one of the two Board of Review vacancies, call City Clerk Jamie Long at 989-681-2137. Or email her at jlong@stlouismi.com.

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