Resident urges city to ease tax penalties after criminal charges, says state revoked Homestead exemption

A Mount Clemens resident told the City Commission she lost her Homestead exemption and urged officials to consider programs to help homeowners stay in their homes.

"Hello, my name is Sha Yaro and I reside at 19 Hubard Street," Yaro said during public comment, explaining she recently faced two criminal charges related to alleged illegal rental of her property and spent about $500 to retain counsel. She said the city attorney described the case as having only "red flags," and that the state later revoked her Homestead exemption.

Yaro cited local economic indicators while pressing the commission for a response. "The median income in the city of Mount Clemens is $31,000," she said, and reported that 18.3% of residents are delinquent on taxes. She asked whether the city or county could adopt a program similar to Detroit’s "pay-as-you-stay," which can reduce penalties and allow taxpayers up to five years to pay past-due taxes.

The commission did not make a policy decision during the meeting. Administration and commissioners acknowledged the concern during later procedural items and announcements but did not commit to adopting a tax-relief program during the session.

Background and next steps: Yaro asked what steps the city is taking to keep people in their homes and whether the city or county has authority to adopt deferred-payment or penalty-waiver approaches. The commission did not vote on a related proposal at the meeting; any change to tax collection policy would require follow-up by staff and likely coordination with county or state authorities.