Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Taxes Assessment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Assessor briefs council on March Board of Review schedule, expected valuation changes
Summary
Southfield's assessor told council that notices mailed Feb. 14 reflect a 3.1% inflation adjustment to taxable value; residential assessed values were recommended up roughly 5.5% while industrial values were recommended up about 7.14%. March Board hearings will restore appeal rights for homeowners.
Southfield’s assessor briefed the City Council on Feb. 20 about the upcoming March Board of Review schedule, the content of recent assessment notices and how property owners can appeal.
The assessor said notices were mailed Feb. 14 and will include current and prior-year assessed and taxable values, the assessor’s reason for any change, an estimate of the change to annual taxes, and classification and ownership information. The assessor said the annual inflation rate used this year is 3.1 percent "so all taxpayers should expect to be increased by 3.1% on their taxable value." He told council staff recommended residential assessed values (half of market value) be increased by roughly 5.5 percent in many cases, commercial values were recommended to decline marginally and industrial values were recommended up about 7.14 percent; he cautioned that the changes would not be identical for every parcel.
The March Board of Review dates were described as the first series of required sessions in March (the assessor said appointments will be available across several days including morning and afternoon sessions and evening appointments). The assessor urged property owners to schedule appointments with the assessing department at (248) 796-5230 and noted that residential property owners typically must appeal at the March Board to preserve rights to later file with the Michigan Tax Tribunal. He summarized tribunal deadlines: residential petitions have an internal deadline around July 31; commercial and industrial petition deadlines differ.
On questions about evidence, the assessor advised property owners to bring private appraisals, comparable sales, photos showing deferred maintenance, or any documentation that supports a valuation claim. He also reviewed 2024 Board of Review outcomes: the board processed 303 total value petitions, adjusted commercial values in a small number of cases, adjusted 40 residential values out of 213 petitions, granted 24 poverty exemptions and answered 54 personal-property matters.
Council members asked whether the Board of Review process benefits residents; the assessor said it does, particularly for property owners who recently purchased homes. The council and staff reiterated instructions on appeal scheduling and documentation to the public.
