Brandon Twp – The summer property tax bills have been sent out and residents will see a slight change. It will appear that the state education tax has increased, however, for 2003 only, it has actually been reduced.
Tax payers are being asked to pay the total 2003 educational tax, rather than spreading the tax between the summer and winter bills.
In the past the state levied a total of 6 mills for school education tax, splitting the amount between both summer and winter taxes.
Township Treasurer Linda Owen said collecting school taxes on that schedule has not worked out for the state because the schools are not getting the funding in time for the school year to start.
‘They wanted the taxes collected or due in October,? said Owen.
‘But that wouldn’t work for townships and villages.? So the state decided to collect the full 6 mills on the summer tax bills.?
To initiate the change, the state has reduced the school educational tax to 5 mills for 2003 instead of 6, and has levied the entire amount against the summer tax bill instead of splitting it into the winter bill.
Next year the mills will go back to the original 6 mills and will be levied against the summer tax bill.
‘From 2004 on the tax will go on the summer bill only,? said Owen.
The change has already created confusion among lenders who hold taxes in escrow, Owen said they are increasing the loan payment to make up for what they believe is an increase in taxes. Owen said this is not the case, that it just appears taxes have increased because the whole amount of mills have been levied against one bill instead of spreading it 50-50.
‘If anyone is having a problems with their lenders please have them call me,? said Owen. ‘Because the tax has not increased.?
Linda Owen and her staff can be reached for questions or concerns regarding their tax bills by calling the Brandon Treasurers office at (248) 627-2853 or (248) 627-3854.