Equalization staff says 31,000 assessment-change notices mailed; four jurisdictions printed their own

Equalization staff reported to the Newaygo County Physical and Economic Development Committee on March 5 that KCI mailed 31,000 assessment-change notices as part of the county equalization process and that 22 township audits were completed in preparation for assessment-change notices.

“KCI mailed total 31,000 notices,” the equalization presenter said. The staff member said four jurisdictions—Bridgeton Township, Sheridan Township, the city of Fremont and the city of Newaygo—chose to print and mail their own notices rather than use KCI.

Staff said assessors must submit their databases and sign documents to comply with what the presenter called the “PA 6 60 auto requirements,” and that those submissions are due by April 9 or 10 days after the close of their March board of review, whichever comes first. The presenter said Tony emailed assessors a checklist of required documents to streamline the process.

The presenter said splits and combinations are on hold until county equalization is complete and the county database is rolled over; Tabitha (staff) will process those after rollover. The presenter also said selections for agricultural appraisals and sales studies will be made in March and early April and that sales data are derived from deeds and property transfer affidavits the office receives. Staff reported an influx of address-change notifications returned in the mail, and reminded property owners to change addresses both with townships and with county equalization because the county and township databases do not synchronize.

No formal committee action was taken on the equalization report during the meeting.