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Hartland Township board raises poverty-exemption guideline to 50% of federal poverty level
Summary
After a staff review of neighboring jurisdictions, the board voted unanimously to raise the township's poverty-exemption income guideline to 50% above federal poverty levels beginning with the 2026 tax year; staff said the change will be applied as an annual multiplier and has a minimal estimated impact on the township general fund.
The Hartland Township Board voted to increase its poverty-exemption income guideline to 50% above the federal poverty guidelines beginning with the 2026 tax year.
Amanda, a township staff member who presented the item, said the board's board of review had surveyed other Livingston County units and found multiplier adjustments ranging from 10% to 50%. "They decided it was plausible for them to recommend that we go ahead and adjust those poverty guidelines up 50% from the federal poverty guidelines," Amanda said. She explained the exemption is applied annually and remains subject to an asset test that can disqualify applicants who exceed asset limits.
A formal motion to adopt the change was moved (packet notes: Treasurer Horning) and seconded (Trustee Petrucci). The board conducted a roll-call vote; members called for included Trustee McMullen, Supervisor Fountain, Trustee Dobinski, Clerk Joe Pugh, Trustee O'Connell, Treasurer Horning and Trustee Petrucci, and the motion passed unanimously. Staff noted the township typically receives only a few exemption applications per year and estimated prior exemptions cost the general fund roughly $150 over the last two years.
The board directed staff to update the poverty-exemption application packet and to apply the selected multiplier to the federal poverty guidelines annually based on figures issued by the state tax commission. The change will not affect special assessments, the presenter said.
