Assessor / Board of Review

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ASSESSOR

The Assessor is responsible for overall direction and management of Township’s property valuation program. Oversees the identification, does the inventory, determines the market value and calculates the assessed valuation for all Township properties in accordance with the State Tax Commission regulations, methodology and procedures to ensure fair and equitable assessments. Maintains accurate principle residence status and property transfer information in compliance with applicable State laws.

To request an assessment review, contact the assessor by phone or email for an appointment. Reviews usually involve a site visit. Please be aware that, upon review, it is possible for the assessment/taxable value to go up or down or remain unchanged.

ASSESSOR

Mark Erhart

906-358-4501 or
906-358-0504
Office Hours. Monday 8 a.m. - 2 p.m
Drop-ins are accepted, appointments are encouraged

Gogebic County GIS Map System

Where Do Your Property Taxes Go?

Summer Tax

Watersmeet Township only receives a 1% Administration Fee. This fee helps to offset the cost of sending the notices of assessment, tax bills and other costs associated with the Assessor’s Office. The remainder of the Summer taxes collected go to the Watersmeet School for Operating (those without a PRE), Gogebic Ontonagon-Intermediate School District for Operating and Gogebic County Operating.

Winter Tax

Watersmeet Township collects a 1% Administration Fee for the Winter Tax collection cycle and uses the money as mentioned in the previous paragraph. The actual millage levied by the township will be 4.943 for Winter 2022. The remainder of the winter taxes go the special millage levied by the county to all townships, such as Gogebic Community College, Senior Program, Transit, Ambulance, Medical Care Facility and Animal Control. The funds generated locally are allocated to police protection and costs, 1 mill or $1 per $1,000 of taxable value, 0.5 mills which is being assigned for only local roads that are maintained by the township and repaired under the 60/40 split with the Gogebic County Road Commission and the remaining 3.43 mills for the general operating costs of the township, including such things as fire protection, transfer station, general maintenance of township properties. The breakdown of the local operating millage revenue is shown in the township budget for the fiscal year and is available for the public to view at the township office.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BOARD OF REVIEW

All non-exempt property must be assessed 50 percent of true cash value and uniformly assessed with other property in the classification. The purpose of the board of review is to ascertain that this has been accomplished by allowing taxpayers to appeal their property’s assessed value or taxable value. No person can appeal his or her assessment to the Michigan Tax Tribunal unless he or she has first appeared before the board of review. (Source: Michigan Townships Association 2020 Edition)

Members are appointed by the Board of Trustees for a term of two years ending on December 31^st.

To contact Board of Review:

- Email Watersmeet Assessor
- Mail letter to: Watersmeet Township, Attn: Board of Review

BOARD OF REVIEW MEETINGS

Meetings are typically held in March to address valuation assessment appeals. July and December to address clerical corrections, property exemptions and principle resident exemptions.

BOARD OF REVIEW MEMBERS

David Sherrill – Chair (term exp. 12/31/2024)
Amy Domanus – Secretary (term exp. 12/31/2024)
Linda Bush – Member (term exp. 12/31/2024)
Eric Zorr – Alternate (term exp. 12/31/2024)