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Wayne County panel hears expert on Detroit ‘uncapping’ case and mayor’s push for IAAO 'gold standard' assessments
Summary
Wayne County assessment director Scott Vandermergl told commissioners a recent Detroit sale led to a taxable-value 'uncapping' that raised a buyer's tax bill from about $3,500 to roughly $20,000; he explained statutory limits under Proposal A, remedies available to residents, and the mayor's executive order to adopt International Association of Assessing Officers standards.
The Wayne County Commission Committee on Ways and Means spent the largest portion of its meeting on Michigan’s taxable-value 'uncapping' process and recent concerns about Detroit property assessments.
Scott Vandermergl, director of assessment and equalization, told commissioners a news report about a couple who bought a Midtown duplex and saw their tax bill rise from about $3,500 to roughly $20,000 after the taxable value was 'uncapped.' Vandermergl explained that the uncapping reflected the taxable value rising to the assessed value and is a predictable effect when market values appreciate: “So after the uncapping process… the taxes went to $20,000.”
Vandermergl reviewed the two numbers on the assessment roll — assessed value (tied…
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