Commission adopts downtown maintenance assessment rates, schedules second hearing after legal concerns voiced

The commission opened a public hearing on the proposed downtown maintenance program and heard public comment before adopting rates and directing the assessor to prepare a special assessment roll.

Staff presented a map identifying streets subject to the downtown maintenance program and an estimated 2015–2016 expense of $54,900 with a line‑item breakdown (salary/wages, materials, contractual services and fund balance). The packet and staff explained two rate tiers: a primary rate and a secondary rate. Staff confirmed the assessment basis is per frontage foot; staff said the primary rate is $9.24 and the secondary rate is $4.23 per frontage foot, which together generate the projected $54,900 assessment roll.

John Van Camp, a downtown property owner, objected to the assessment and argued it had expired in 2001, calling it illegal and saying he would pursue the matter at the Michigan Tax Tribunal. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the rate basis and staff confirmed the per‑foot method and the map differentiating primary versus secondary streets.

By motion and roll call the commission moved to close the first public hearing, adopt the stated rates, direct the assessor to prepare the special assessment roll and set the second public hearing for Nov. 2, 2015.