DECODING YOUR WINTER TAX BILL
We recently received a question about the breakdown of the property tax bill, and we wanted to take a moment to discuss some of the things that may be found on your winter tax bill.
To update your address, send this Change of Address FORM to Manistee County.
Assessing or property value questions can be directed to Jared Litwiller, Assessor at 1-888-714-9288, or email jared_litwiller@hotmail.com.
For exemptions, contact the assessor and make note of the Board of Review Dates in March, July and December. Exemption forms should be sent to Jared Litwiller, 406 S. Delia St. Ludington, MI 49431
Purpose of a Township
Mandated functions
Mandated functions are activities that townships are required to perform. The three broadest mandated responsibilities are assessment administration, elections administration and tax collection, which are legally assigned functions of the supervisor, clerk and treasurer, respectively. State laws also specify details for performing these functions.
Permissive functions
Beyond the mandated functions, Michigan townships are authorized to provide a wide variety of services that are generally expected from general purpose governmental entities. Virtually all townships provide fire protection and many also offer law enforcement as well. Parks and recreation programs, public water and sewer services, trash collection and recycling programs, sidewalks and trails, and cemeteries are other common township functions. Townships, as well as other local governments, can provide these services by themselves, or jointly with another entity, and townships can buy from and sell to other governments any function it can produce by itself. In some but not all cases, townships can also contract with private entities to provide programs and services.
Are you curious about the codes on your tax forms? Did you know that property tax code and zoning code are not the same? See the Chart below for more information.
Did you know that the township has its own code?
Marilla Township is 51-1090
When you see your property parcel number, it will start with a 51 (county code) and a 09 (township code). The next 3 numbers relate to the section you are in. Marilla Township has 36 sections, and a small residential area referred to as Johnson Shores.
Do you know your school district code?
Mesick Consolidated: 83070 (Wexford ISD)
Benzie Central: 10015 (Benzie ISD)
Kaleva Norman Dickson (KND): 51045 (Manistee ISD)
Want to learn more? Just ask!