[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6251475,"mediaKeyId","3195555-9a3a533ff5b6ab034ba45767bfbee4f2","parentId",3195555,"title","Drive Experience asks for help after receiving $112,000 water‑sewer bill","audioSeconds",59,"startMs",93000,"endMs",152000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3195555-9a3a533ff5b6ab034ba45767bfbee4f2&start=93&end=152","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3195555-9a3a533ff5b6ab034ba45767bfbee4f2/thumbnail_93000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6251475/Detroit/Wayne-County/Michigan/Drive-Experience-asks-for-help-after-receiving-112000-watersewer-bill","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6251475-58ea70193394982cf2cd4a07941d2246/orig.mp4?Expires=1773659733&Signature=OcsQFdDYQU1mmeb98Ain2BffYJ0UHzNm1zIbzvzFS9o-bFgxoTgQpCFxWLAqWCcZLgx08HQqVj3twfnAJbRfzaBUcar9fz4NEMd0K4eg75JwYHd-FbXuE32eVm~T53~mclkFwKa0yUY3egayQON9C0gEGX3nQMJaTiQ50omu6S-nDEcya8E60ak9APn6EPORI-oI~M69K4OkequSFrwis8Fn-PykxPgmgS3hFgxYktkS0yjoe5MIt2DR2do~ESZtwcHUrc5G4-W6fFS3BkNAS8qGfkDDeyjBC44uJfyUSc7OmSVmEHquuWh~bQVB6QhhiiK0-rsZOgg6JR2c66wufw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Detroit, MI ","date","2025-04-30T00:00:00Z","article","A representative for Drive Experience told the Budget, Finance and Audit standing committee that the nonprofit received a transferred water and sewer charge of about $112,000 and asked the committee to direct her to staff or a department that could help resolve the bill.

“My name is Alicia Hatcher, and I'm here representing Drive Experience,” Alicia Hatcher said during the public‑comment portion of the meeting. She said the organization received “a horrific water sewage bill that's a hundred and $12,000 and I'm trying to get this rectified because this is this bill can definitely run us out of business.” Hatcher said the charge had been transferred to taxes and asked for assistance or direction to the appropriate office.

The committee lacked a quorum and could not take formal action; the committee chair told Hatcher he would speak with her after the meeting to follow up. No staff response or immediate referral was recorded on the public record during the session.

Hatcher said Drive Experience provides services for juveniles and returning citizens and that the bill threatened the nonprofit’s operations. The chair noted that, because of the lack of quorum, the committee would not engage in a back‑and‑forth on the floor but would address the matter offline.

This was public comment only; the committee did not direct staff or make a formal referral during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Detroit City Council Budget Finance and Audit 04-30-2025","oneSentenceSummary","A representative for Drive Experience told the Detroit Budget, Finance and Audit committee that the nonprofit received a transferred water and sewer bill of about $112,000 and requested city assistance to reduce the charge.","taxTitle","Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan","taxId",48464,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6251480,"Caller says Detroit solar plan risks eminent domain and uneven treatment of residents",117,753000,870000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3195555-9a3a533ff5b6ab034ba45767bfbee4f2&start=753&end=870","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3195555-9a3a533ff5b6ab034ba45767bfbee4f2/thumbnail_753000.jpg","/articles/6251480/Detroit/Wayne-County/Michigan/Caller-says-Detroit-solar-plan-risks-eminent-domain-and-uneven-treatment-of-residents","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6251480-7395f1ee95c5e461b353fa05ae61c9ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1773659733&Signature=CdP2dlo9lmJ7D1H3R11IM1nW8sY9crkcrrLRCexXjAE8TyvwYGsxzY3UvYaP9x1lGeSSZVRK-mJvETrMBxD0559m6w4xvvzDKAciVvSk7OL6H~XZeZFDni7MwXrtmXsrsOyDfs5VgR64ATkRfqzGyPTpOzn5iUwx0pRU6V87JTcgAL9giWJ8nNVZM1wwCnv4MwZAQQ2bf6~WGrtjHe3Q3iOStCO959q2ptfoATO7Xb7lzt9vTZM8iqgFK4xiNiiQiK4LhfHVEnWSk0w0k4d43rccSP5Qkzwm3c7Sn96KD3HAMxvBLe0T1zzMpBcazI3Ik5FwHPGIYvCSGU5xYKklFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A public commenter expressed concerns that Detroit’s proposed solar plan relied on eminent domain, disproportionately affected neighborhood residents, and favored institutional arrangements over protecting families who live on affected parcels.

The comment came during the Budget, Finance and Audit standing committee meeting; the committee lacked a quorum and made no formal decisions.

“I haven't seen any evidence the city did its due diligence to find a way to do solar without using eminent domain,” the commenter who identified themself as You Matter said. The commenter also cited the Detroit Land Bank as holding “over 66,000 properties” and criticized what they described as unequal results from land swaps, saying some institutions received more parcels than they relinquished.

You Matter said the charter’s fair‑treatment provision, cited as section 9‑501, required equitable treatment of affected residents and questioned why “bridging neighborhood treatment” was not offered to families displaced by solar projects.

These remarks were allegations and requests for more transparent decision making; the committee recorded the comments but took no action at the meeting. The chair noted the session lacked a quorum and that agenda items will be carried forward to next week’s meeting for further consideration.","A public commenter told the Budget, Finance and Audit committee that the city’s solar plan relied on eminent domain, favored institutional land swaps, and overlooked neighborhood alternatives; the committee took no action due to lack of quorum.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6251485,"Caller alleges Detroit misused UTGO bond funds to pay department salaries and benefits",107,888000,995000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3195555-9a3a533ff5b6ab034ba45767bfbee4f2&start=888&end=995","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3195555-9a3a533ff5b6ab034ba45767bfbee4f2/thumbnail_888000.jpg","/articles/6251485/Detroit/Wayne-County/Michigan/Caller-alleges-Detroit-misused-UTGO-bond-funds-to-pay-department-salaries-and-benefits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6251485-3d539b4ba61abe20f35fd1330e88b160/orig.mp4?Expires=1773659733&Signature=EnMoAIhYvvxZQEVcFxob7ZC5gTKQfzxFKOOcE3H9LJAvt0smtsZ6t0x-lFKN5-12CifbHLYKWls4E30o5mPQMxGZGisYyyYK5WJsSsHb1U-B98OAqgGisNYCzUlwJG9f~La4BtTTkCX8F0MgnkM0MxJ8Mt4EcFuvSTHG7N9zGZ-tn4x3NPoedDjahbBaV-xIpahux7QsRTcAVvwYaeBHZkotP~ZdAFTNiwk3NiG7u5kDY4Txp~auVDFpY066fsikyqUYyYsj0SM04FFFTWLFP~uL3wechtpiRNAnV0Z9uwmCFXoPQzyi8x1ScY7tzGSXP-1CBNCHLZLfPQ9R~u-04g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A public commenter at the Budget, Finance and Audit standing committee meeting accused the city of using voter‑approved UTGO (Unlimited Tax General Obligation) bond proceeds to finance a city department’s day‑to‑day operations, including salaries and benefits.

The allegation was made during public comment; the committee lacked a quorum and took no formal action.

“When those, proposal in UTGO bonds were placed on the ballot in 02/2020 … The funds were supposed to be used for the purpose of constructing, demolishing, and reconstructing, and equipping public buildings, not for financing an entire city department, i.e., the Detroit construction and demolition department, and paying city workers' salaries, their vacation time, and their health benefits,” Malik Shelton, a public commenter, said. Shelton called the practice “unlawful” and warned of possible IRS and Securities and Exchange Commission implications, and cited the Michigan Finance Act in arguing the bonds were misused.

Shelton also said the bond authorizing resolution did not mention using bond proceeds for establishing and operating a full city department and named the law firm Miller Canfield in connection with the bond issuance.

The committee recorded public comment only and did not provide staff response or take action. The committee chair noted the meeting lacked a quorum and that agenda items will be carried to the next scheduled meeting.

Shelton’s assertions are allegations made during public comment and were not corroborated by staff testimony during the session. The committee made no determinations on the matter at this meeting.","During public comment, Malik Shelton asserted that UTGO bond proceeds approved by voters were improperly used to fund day‑to‑day department operations and employee compensation, a practice he called unlawful and potentially subject to federal and state enforcement.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6251490,"Public commenters urge study of tax impacts on low‑priced Detroit homes and better realtor notices",120,235000,355000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3195555-9a3a533ff5b6ab034ba45767bfbee4f2&start=235&end=355","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3195555-9a3a533ff5b6ab034ba45767bfbee4f2/thumbnail_235000.jpg","/articles/6251490/Detroit/Wayne-County/Michigan/Public-commenters-urge-study-of-tax-impacts-on-lowpriced-Detroit-homes-and-better-realtor-notices","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6251490-402763fe1bbe00560936f507d440e258/orig.mp4?Expires=1773659733&Signature=JgwrWGEY0ClGisb7erHnrGSAKyadVpD5hpDKzh4XCe-JQ91rK202cM5lj5b0OwNKS7iB6NQ4yow9LXpZotZAHXdhTa4qesO1PHaPjy7g90wP4~zwUJMe4H~1RfFanu7w2opwJok-X~b2aJK4yehWI7hhQO6opBMyuFABZXXfCU2AbwtPpo0fjABw-z74CzjRgIkmWBl8ikjOTSA08LnGBLsVq7vD-Cp4EZThi55aEHsv6TZ1pAAKp2Hhqbty3v9Kt0jYPXA-lQRz5b-DRvKicn7b-O8lwJmrL1MlGVLEvXMvkFW4tq9BFLnnzLaMvVXm0pZ-LnEMN6~NhjJov8gaAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public commenters at the Detroit Budget, Finance and Audit standing committee meeting urged the city to study how property tax assessments and notifications affect lower‑priced homes and to consider phasing in tax increases when property transfers occur.

The speakers’ concerns emerged during public comment at the committee meeting, which did not achieve a quorum and therefore took no formal action; the committee chair said the agenda items would be carried to next week’s meeting.

“Item 6.1, and I think that that report the study needs to also look at more so at some of the lower priced homes like this under $40,000 because it seems like they are indeed over taxed,” William M. Davis, a public commenter, said. Davis also asked that the city improve notifications to realtors about property tax rates and proposed phasing in tax increases on transfers to prevent immediate large tax jumps for inheritors. “I could see a possibly a way if y’all could phase in the increases over a 5 year period,” he told the committee.

Another public commenter, Sterling Hughes, called a draft report “scathing,” saying the findings suggested widespread problems with how property transactions and deeds are being handled and asked for a hearing and additional transparency. “It says that 20% of the houses … are done properly. 76% are done unproperly costing taxpayers revenue,” Hughes said, urging the committee to examine assessor processes and follow established procedures.

Both speakers tied their comments to agenda items identified in the meeting as 6.1 and 6.3, which the committee chair said would be considered when the meeting reconvenes. No committee votes or directives were recorded during the session because there was no quorum.

The comments address three distinct concerns voiced by residents: (1) apparent assessment or transaction errors affecting low‑value homes, (2) insufficient notice to buyers and realtors about property tax rates, and (3) the immediate tax increases that can occur when property transfers from older to younger relatives.

Committee staff did not take formal action at the session; the chair said staff would follow up with individual commenters after adjournment.

For further review, the commenters asked the committee to convene a public hearing, increase transparency in assessor procedures, and analyze possible phased approaches to tax increases to reduce displacement risk for inheriting family members.","At a Detroit Budget, Finance and Audit committee meeting that lacked a quorum, public commenters urged the city to study tax impacts on low‑priced homes, require realtor notifications, and consider phasing in tax increases on inherited property.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Drive Experience asks for help after receiving $112,000 water‑sewer bill

Caller says Detroit solar plan risks eminent domain and uneven treatment of residents

Caller alleges Detroit misused UTGO bond funds to pay department salaries and benefits

Public commenters urge study of tax impacts on low‑priced Detroit homes and better realtor notices