Mackinac County commissioners return land division and combination authority to local units

The Mackinac County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on Aug. 14 to return authority for land division and land-combination applications to local unit governments after a 90-day notice period.

Equalization Director Dulcee Ranta told the board that if the county continued to process these applications it would increase the county's exposure to liability and potential lawsuits, and said most local units already process their own land applications. Commissioners and clerks present raised concerns about whether some local units, particularly in the west end, will be able to find qualified assessors to take on the work.

Commissioner Austin Kimberling moved to return land division applications to local units; he amended his motion on the floor to include land combinations. Commissioner Judy St. Louis-Scott seconded. The motion carried on a roll-call vote with Kimberling, Chair Mike Patrick, Daryl Schroeder and St. Louis-Scott voting yes; Commissioner John Kling was absent.

The board's action shifts responsibility for accepting and processing land division and combination filings to municipal governments and their assessors; the board noted that local units will be responsible for arranging and paying for assessor services. The county did not specify a transition plan beyond the 90-day notice period or name which local units currently rely on the county for this service.