June 23, 2009

STATEMENT ON THE PROPERTY TAX ISSUE

Yesterday, June 22, 2009, I received a letter from the City of Detroit Assessor’s Office identifying taxes re-computed on my residence for 2007 and 2008.  The letter stated that the amount of $4,467.01 was due within thirty (30) days.  Yesterday - the same day that the invoice was received, I paid that amount to the Wayne County Treasurer.  The tax payments remitted are inclusive of the $300.00 solid waste fee for each respective year.

The reassessment was provided based upon my formal request for same on Friday, May 22, 2009.  On the morning of May, 22, 2009, I went to the Assessor’s Office and spoke with several members of the staff in an attempt to pay an amount equal to a projected reassessment.  I was told that the office could not accept payment at that time and that it could only process a request for reassessment - which could take several weeks.

It should be noted that my previous attempts to pay prior to the June 22, 2009 billing were repeatedly declined by the Assessor’s Office and the Wayne County Treasurer’s Office.  Each consistently advised that payment could only be accepted after reassessment, state approval of the new assessment and the issuance of an invoice from the Wayne County Treasurer.

The 2009 tax statements will be mailed in July, and the remittance will be forwarded upon receipt of the invoice.  While payments for years prior to 2007 are not required; at my request the City Treasurer has set up a payment plan for me to address tax payments for the years prior to 2007 in order to remediate all under-assessments.

I wish to express my appreciation to the Chief Assessor’s office, the City Treasurer’s office, the Wayne County Treasurer’s office, and the State of Michigan Treasurer’s office for their cooperation.

Sincerely,

Jo Ann Watson