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Residents press Detroit council to fully implement 2023 property-tax reform and protect owner-occupied exemptions
Summary
Speakers representing the Coalition for Property Tax Justice and others urged the council to enforce the 2023 property-tax reform ordinance, address overassessment of lower-valued homes, protect the principal residence exemption and replace the chief assessor if unqualified.
Residents and advocates used public comment time at the Jan. 30 Detroit City Council meeting to press for full enforcement of the 2023 property-tax reform ordinance and immediate steps to correct alleged overassessment of lower-valued homes.
Veronica Smith, president of the DeSoto Ellsworth Black Association and representing the Coalition for Property Tax Justice, outlined a five-tier “first 100 days” plan that included enforcing the reform ordinance, creating clearer assessment notices and FAQs on the city website, and stopping overassessment of lower-value homes. She told the council that some homes assessed at about $40,000 remained overassessed and urged protection of the principal residence exemption (PRE).
Another caller reiterated similar priorities, asking the council for an independent audit of assessment data, better notice to homeowners, removal of ineligible LLCs from PRE eligibility, improved software for PRE/Hope applications, and a plan to return money to homeowners who overpaid property taxes in prior years.
Why it matters: Several residents said lower-valued homeowners have been disproportionately overassessed, and they asked the council to ensure assessments, notices and PRE administration are corrected to avoid further financial harm. Advocates also called for a qualified chief assessor who has passed the required Michigan master assessing officer exam.
What officials said: At the meeting council members acknowledged the concerns; no vote or formal directive specific to replacing the assessor or returning funds was recorded. The transcript shows council members and staff were informed of the requests and that implementation details would be matters for administration follow-up.
Next steps: Advocates requested council action within 100 days; the transcript records the public requests and a recommendation for staff/committee follow-up but no immediate committee referral or motion was recorded.
