In December 2021, Four Lakes Task Force initiated communications and public dialogue related to the Special Assessment for Operations and Maintenance. This included webinars, emails, news flashes and two first-class mailings. Throughout this process, public input, comments and concerns were accepted. In addition, four public information meetings, called Preliminary Days of Review, were conducted in February 2022 and April 2022. Property owners were provided an opportunity to meet and discuss their property with members of FLTF and its consultant Spicer Group.
On June 29, 2022, FLTF conducted a Special Assessment Hearing on the Operations and Maintenance Special Assessment Roll, the Computation of Cost and the overall Project Cost. At this hearing, property owners were provided an opportunity to formally object to the special assessment for their property.
Based on the comments that were supported by facts or evidence, FLTF adjusted individual assessments. Below is a summary of adjustments:
Before June 29th Hearing
- Meetings at the Preliminary Days of Review: 351
- Comments submitted via email, written or verbal: 312
- Formal objections/protests submitted via writing or email: 14
- Number of parcel combination submittals: 273 combined to 127
- Number of parcel factors adjusted based on comments: 495
June 29th Hearing and After
- Attended the Special Assessment Hearing: 194
- Provided verbal comments at the Hearing: 55
- Submitted written comments at the Hearing: 181
- Number of parcel combination submittals: 6 combined to 3
- Number of parcel factors updated based on comments provided: 772*
*If a change was accepted on one property, other properties with similar attributes were evaluated and changed, which makes the parcel updates greater than the number of property owners providing input.
FLTF has posted multiple documents to its website that provide more detail about the methodology, process and individual apportionments.
Next Steps
The Gladwin and Midland County Boards of Commissioners will meet Tuesday, July 12 at 12 p.m. at Meridian High School to vote on the final roll. At that point, the roll will be final, unless the Circuit Court notifies FLTF that there are appeals.
Appeals Process
FLTF has had inquiries about the appeals process. FLTF is prohibited from providing legal advice to property owners. Only a licensed attorney with whom an individual has established an attorney-client relationship may give actual legal advice. FLTF attorneys work on behalf of FLTF, both as a nonprofit and as the Delegated Authority for the Special Assessment District. They cannot work on behalf of the property owners challenging the Counties' approved assessment roll. You are encouraged to seek legal advice related to your properties.
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