Homer
Township Newsletter
================================
Volume XVI Issue # 1 March 2004
FROM YOUR SUPERVISOR
Let's focus on three subjects at hand: Boards of Review, Hardship
Exemptions and Deferments.
1. BOARD OF.,
REVIEW:
March 8, Monday, 2-5 and 6-9 p.m.
March
9, Tuesday, 2-5 and 7-9 p.m.
March
10, Wednesday, 2-5 and 7-9 p.m.
Assessment
appeals and qualified agricultural exemptions will be considered (Homesteads
will not). The Board will meet at the Homer Township Hall.
BOARD OF REVIEW:
July 20, Tuesday, 1-3 p.m.
Only homesteads will be considered for 2004, if you occupied your home before May
1, 2004. Two years prior will also be reviewed. Mutual errors may be corrected.
BOARD OF REVIEW:
December 14, Tuesday, 1-3 p.m.
Only homesteads will be considered for 2004 if you occupied your home before
May 1, 2004. Two years prior will also be reviewed. Mutual errors may be
corrected.
2. PROPERTY TAX HARDSHIP EXEMPTION:
Call me now for an application.
This will give you time to have all the necessary information ready for the
first day of the Board of Review on March 8, 2004. This application must be
filed on a yearly basis.
3. WATER ASSESSMENT DEFERMENTS:
Call
me now for the State of Michigan I s application of deferment. You must have lived
in your home for 5 years and be a senior citizen 65 or older, or permanently
disabled. Total household income for 2003 must be less than $19,970. The state
of Michigan will put a lien on your home, pay the township the assessment,
charge yearly interest and be the first lien holder on your property. This must
be paid to the State
when you sell your home or upon the death of the homeowner. (The lien may be
paid off at any time.) Please call me with any questions.
BARB RADOSA, 835-5671
NOTES FROM THE TREASURER
I hope that all of you still here in Homer Township are surviving the winter in
good shape and spirits. This winter is like winters that I recall as a
youngster.
Now that the winter tax season has finished, it seems a bit early to talk about
the summer tax, but that is what I will be writing about in this portion of my
article. We survived last summer's collection of the SET tax but not without
some uncertainties, on the part of the taxpayers and the mortgage companies. We
now know that the mortgage companies will be paying the tax and that it will
not appear on the winter bill. Not knowing did cause some duplicate payment
attempts.
I must say at the outset, there will be a summer tax just as there was last
year. It is the State that is requiring that the State Education Tax be
collected in the summer. Last year the millage rate
was 5 mills -- THAT IS NOT THE CASE THIS YEAR -- THE RATE WILL BE 6 MILLS.
I will be sending your tax bill on
the first of July and will be sending a copy to your mortgage company. The tax
is due and payable without penalty by September 14 (not September 15 as it was
last year). The tax is 6 mills on your taxable value and the tax will NOT be on
your winter tax bill. A summer tax bill that is not paid by September 14 will
incur a 1 % interest penalty for each month or part of a month that the bill is
not paid until the bill becomes delinquent on March 1 and is turned over to the
County Treasurer. Summer taxes are payable in my office until March 1 of 2005,
If you applied for a deferment
last year, I will send you a new form to fill out and
return -- it must be done each year you want the deferment.
Deferments are available for those who qualify. A property taxpayer may defer if their
household income for the preceding calendar year did not exceed $25,000 and they meet any of the following conditions:
a) are 62 years of age or older, including the unmarried
surviving spouse of a person who was 62 years of age or older at the time of
death
b) are a paraplegic or quadriplegic
c) are an eligible service person, eligible veteran, or
their eligible widow or widower
d) are a blind person
e) are a totally and permanently disabled person.
f) You may also qualify if you own and operate a farming operation on property
that is classified as agricultural if the gross receipts are not less than the
household income of the owner.
If you are qualified, you may defer payment without penalty through February 28
of 2005. Also if you qualify, contact me for a deferment form. It must be filed
with me in my office no later than September 14, 2004. Should you have any
questions, call me at 631-3422.
The only day that I
plan on having a scheduled
office day is September 14. I will be open from 9 am to 5 pm on that day. Please mail your payments to me
in time to be in my office by September 14 to avoid interest penalty. If
you would like to pay in
person, please call me
at 989-631-3422 and we will arrange a mutually agreeable time.
I am discouraging drop-ins
because I am gone quite
often during the day in the summer months.
The policy regarding the mailing of receipts for paid taxes will be the same as it was for last summer's tax
collection and the winter tax collection. That policy is: receipts for the
payment of taxes will be mailed only when a stamped, self-addressed envelope is included with the
payment. Two exceptions to the policy
will be in the case of
an overpayment or underpayment of the tax. Property owners whose property taxes are paid by a
lender should confirm with their financial institution that their taxes have been paid. You may also
call me, as has always been
the case to verify the payment of the tax. You may also check the County Treasurer's on-line service
to check the status of your tax payment.
Payment
Policy
I encourage all taxpayers to pay their taxes with either a check or money
order. Doing so protects both you and me. Mistakes are more easily and
accurately corrected with a paper backup.
PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE EXEMPTION
Principal
Residence exemption -- Homestead exemption.
Which is it, what does it mean, and is it important to me? Your knowledge of the rules and how they apply could save you
a fair sum of money in back taxes and
penalties. Some of you learned the hard way
of how the rules can impact the tax status of property you own or property you
acquire by the death of a parent. Some of you were audited regarding your
Principal Residence status on property you own or a deceased parent's
property or a parent that has had to move permanently to a
nursing home.
In 2003, the Legislature passed a law changing the term Homestead to
Principal Residence in order to avoid conflict with the Homestead provision in
the state income tax process. What it means is, if you own your home and reside
in that home, you may be eligible for the
Principal Residence Exemption. You may
not hold a Principal Residence Exemption on any other property. If you buy a home or build a new home,
you must occupy and
file a "Principal Residence
Exemption" form with the Township Supervisor / Assessor by May
1 of the year of first residence. If you are moving from a home that you hold a
Principal Residence Exemption, you must file a rescind of "Principal
Residence Exemption II form with the
Supervisor I Assessor in the location of the home. There are
other situations-too numerous to mention in this column-that can cause an audit
and may impact your exemption status. One situation that has come to my
attention is the situation of a deceased parent and the home not being disposed
of in short period of time. A rescission of exempt status must be filed if the parent
passed away prior to May 1 of a given year. If you have any questions or doubts
about your status-call the Township supervisor in your area.
It is important to you for a couple of reasons. If you qualify for a full
exemption, your millage rate on school tax will be in the neighborhood of 6
mills; otherwise the rate is approximately 18 mills. If you qualify and don't
file for the exemption, your rate will be 18 mills. For example, your
taxable value is $41,412 and you qualify for the millage-your local school tax
would be about $159. If you did not qualify or failed to file, your tax would
be about $745; A significant impact on your tax liability.
What can you do to protect
yourself? Ask questions of your realtor if you are buying an existing home
intended to be your Principal Residence. Call the Supervisor/Assessor in your
governmental unit if you are building a new home. The two critical factors you
need to meet to qualify are you must own and you must reside in the home by May
1. Always check your tax bill for your Principal Residence status and call the
Supervisor/Assessor if you believe the status reported on the bill is in error.
Beyond that if you don't understand and have questions, please call.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If your Board of
Review notice indicates that you have 100% on your Principal Residence Exemption, YOU DO
NOT NEED TO REFILE.
WATER DISTRICT INFORMATION
Water District Number 1 residents. I won't know for sure
regarding the need for an additional assessment until the end of August. As of now
your assessment on your tax bill in December will be:
District # 1 $407.01
Water Districts Number 3 and 4. The amount on your tax bill in December
will be:
District #3 $662.42
District #4 $729.17
Water Districts Number 6 and 7. Your assessments and the amount on your tax
bill in December is as follows:
District #6 $8,825 $929.78
District #7 $8,250 $869.20
For
all districts; If you choose to payoff the assessment, please call me for the
payoff figure for the date of payment. The figure changes each day due to the
interest.
Should you have any questions or comments, I can be reached by phone at
631-3422 and by email at: ramowet@netscape.net
I do wish each of you a very enjoyable spring and summer. AI Tew, Treasurer
I like to inform the residents of Homer Township that at times
throughout the year we are always looking for people who would like to sit on a
Committee or Commission. The following will describe these positions and
hopefully explain them.
PLANNING COMMISSION
Term is for three years. Job duties are to keep the zoning ordinance and
master plan updated for the township. Review site plans to make sure they
conform to the ordinance and are being done correctly. Meets once a month.
BOARD OF REVIEW
Term is for one year. The reason for the board of review is to check and
or correct the tax assessment for the township. This board meets in March, July
and December of each year, and they
work in conjunction
with the township assessor.
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
Term is for three years. This board acts on any variance request from
the residents when what needs to be done to a property does not conform to the
zoning ordinance.
WATER COMMITTEE
Term is for three years. The water committee meets once a month or when
needed to keep pace with water projects. The committee works on problems that
arise on water issues and updates the water ordinance when needed.
WAGE
COMMISSION
Term is a rotating six year period. Meets every other year on the odd
year (i.e. 2005, 2007). This commission sets the wages of the elected officials
of the township
If someone in the township would like to serve in one of these positions, you
can contact any of the township board members and get your name and phone
number on the list.
To the voters of the township; be aware that the voting method will be changed
before the end of the year. As in keeping with the qualified voter for the
State of Michigan, we as a county, will be getting new voting equipment for the
upcoming elections. I will be posting some information on the web page about
this in the near future. The web page address is as follows: http://homer-mid.mi-twp.orq/
PLANNING COMMISSION
The Homer Township Planning Commission had an
active year in 2003.
Several amendments were added to our township ordinance.
1. Allowing an
accessory building to be built on a vacant lot before the main dwelling
is built.
2. Allowing state licensed large and small group homes in certain districts in
the township.
3. A state mandated "Open Space" ordinance was added.
Presently the planning commission is in the process of completing another
amendment to allow a 50% increase to a non-conforming dwelling in the
commercial district.
Additional information regarding the above mentioned amendments may be obtained
from the township clerk or any member of the planning commission. ANITA
SANGER, CHAIR
WATER COMMlTTEE
Hello, I am your new water committee chairman, Bob Winchester.
I would like to thank
Tom Pritchard for his efforts and service to date and congratulate him
on his accomplishments. During his tenure the township negotiated an agreement
with the City of Midland, allowing the residents of Homer Township to receive
municipal water. Seven districts have been planned with three of them finished
and two more nearly completed. Tom has not left us. He currently is one of our
township trustees, and he has agreed to remain a member of the water committee.
~ -.
During this past year district 3 and 4 were finished and 100% restored.
I have heard many say the districts look nicer that before the projects began.
Construction of district 7 is complete, except taps and restoration. Currently,
district 6 is being constructed. These two districts are scheduled to be
finished by the end of this July.
Districts 2 and 5 have been canceled at this time due to unacceptable
construction costs.
For more information, including pictures. go to the township's internet site
at:
http://homer-mid.mi-twp.org/wcommittee.php
.
If you have
questions or comments you can type them in at the internet site or call
me at 631-9169.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO GET A PLUMBING PERMIT
BEFORE YOU PUT YOUR SERVICE LEAD TO YOUR HOME. THE PERMITS ARE AVAILABLE
OUTSIDE THE GLASS DOORS OF THE TOWNSHIP HALL IN A BLACK BOX ON THE WALL.
On the subject of service leads to your home, many residents have
expressed frustration with not being able to find phone numbers for directional
boring companies, for those that wish to use this approach. In an effort to
help residents contact these contractors, we are listing those numbers that we
have. There may be others. The Township is not recommending anyone contractor. You,
of course, may wish to use a traditional contractor and open cut your service
lead. You should be able to find these contractors in the yellow pages.
Again, it is NOT recommended that you install your service lead until after the
water main is installed in front of your home. They can, and - have been, a
hindrance to the installation of the water main.
BORING CONTRACTORS
Eric Construction 989-865-9904
Roese Contracting 989-684-5121
Royalty Contractors, Inc 989-835-3148
S & P Directional Boring Services,
LLC
989-832-7716
Cell 989-205-1619
T & T Contractors, Inc. 989-695-9076
MAPLE SYRUP DAY SET FOR MARCH by Shelley Koop
Maple Syrup Day at Chippewa Nature Center is set for Saturday, March 20, 10
a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is FREE
to members. Non-member admission is $3/18
and up, and all children and students are admitted free.
Visitors at the festival may attend a Pancake Breakfast open to the public from
11 a.m. to 2 PM -- for an additional fee of $6/ages 13 and up; $4/ages 3-12;
free to children under age 3.
In the Visitor Center, stop by to watch the Homestead Quilters and the
Woodcarvers carry traditional skills into a new century; see how spiles for
sap-gathering are carved and try your hand at it; construct a paper version of
a mokuk -- a container used by the Chippewa Indians; join in a new maple game
and watch maple candy being made. The Ecosystem Gallery will be open, with
exhibits featuring various habitats found at CNC.
Stop at the wigwam outside to learn about traditional skills that will be
demonstrated. After that, it's on to the Sugarhouse, to see how we boil sap
into pure maple syrup at CNC, and taste some yourself.
There will also be an 1870's sap boiling demonstration, Sugarbush tours and a
tree tapping activity. To get the feel for settler life, visit the log cabin
and chat with the cabin hostess. In the schoolhouse, find out what late-19th
century school lessons were like, and try some traditional games (weather
permitting).
THE TOWNSHIP 'BOARD
|
Supervisor, Barb Radosa 835-5671 |
|
|
Treasurer, AI Tew |
631-3422 |
|
Clerk, Joe DuFort |
832-0964 |
|
Trustees: |
|
|
Helen Mudd |
631-3708 |
|
Tom Pritchard |
631-3806 |
|
John Stern |
835-4203 |
|
Russ Varner |
835-6845 |
|
Building Inspector |
|
|
Kevin Varner |
839-9181 |
|
Electrical Inspector |
|
|
Wayne Holsinger |
465-1653 |
|
Plumbing Inspector |
|
|
Ted Van Wert |
631-9645 |
|
Township Hall Rentals |
|
|
Pam Varner |
832-9818 |
TOWNSHIP NEWSLETTER
STAFF
Ted
Ilgenfritz
Helen Mudd
Anita Phillips
Karen Pritchard