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Flat Rock council approves amended special assessment for Huron Woods at $1,827.13 per parcel
Summary
After public questions and a resident FOIA request, the council approved an amended resolution to levy a special assessment for the Huron Woods district at the project’s lower actual cost, set at $1,827.13 per parcel, payable in a lump sum or up to five annual installments of $365.42 beginning on the next winter tax bill.
Flat Rock City Council approved an amended resolution to levy a special assessment for the Huron Woods special assessment district at the actual project cost, reducing the per-parcel charge to $1,827.13. The council said the assessment may be paid in a lump sum or in up to five annual installments of $365.42, beginning with the winter 2025 tax bill.
The change reflects a reconciliation between the original cost estimate and the invoices the city received. In the cover presentation, staff said the original cost estimate was $2,444,440.64 and the city’s reported actual project costs were $213,773.03. City Treasurer Brian told the council the assessment amount per parcel as now proposed is $1,827.13 and that the city would bill at the actual cost amount so that refunds or credits would not be needed later.
The assessment drew extended comment from a Huron Woods resident, who said she had repeatedly requested documentation under FOIA and that charges on the draft assessment appeared excessive. “You don’t get to charge $17,000 extra from the taxpayers, period,” the resident said, pressing the council to read the amendment on the record and to publish the underlying bills. City Administrator Marcin Hicks and Treasurer Brian responded in the meeting that staff provided the figures once the final invoices arrived and that the amendment reflected a lower final cost rather than a correction of an earlier error.
Council members moved and seconded the resolution and put it to a vote; the motion passed. The city representative stated that because the assessment would be set at the actual cost and will appear on the upcoming winter tax bill, the administration did not expect to need refunds or credits tied to earlier estimates.
The charter provision discussed by staff allows the city to retain small underruns (under 5%) or to structure repayments if project costs exceed the estimate; in this case staff explained the numbers fall below the original estimate and the administration was proposing to levy the lower actual amount.
The vote concluded the formal action on the Huron Woods assessment; residents who requested additional documentation were told to follow up with the city treasurer’s office for the invoices and supporting materials.
Ending: The amended resolution was approved by the council; residents in Huron Woods will see the assessment amount on their next winter tax bill and will be able to choose the lump-sum or installment payment option as described by staff.
