North Kent News

Michigan House Rep. James Lower (R-Greenville) has proposed legislation that would give property owners a tax break and relief aid to city governments that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well the flooding from dam failures in May.

“These proposals operate similarly to ones extending state and federal income tax deadlines,” Lower said on the Michigan House Republicans website. “We must acknowledge that people have had their lives and livelihoods upended by what’s transpired across Michigan this spring and into this summer. We need to provide them with a little peace of mind where it’s practical, and this plan allows for that.”

Lower added that further work will be done over the summer to ensure that delayed tax payments can function as efficiently as possible.

“Today’s action allows property owners and local governments to prepare as we further refine the programs,” he told Michigan House Republicans.

Lower’s proposal on granting more flexibility for the payment of property taxes this summer was approved by the Michigan Legislature and has gone to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for consideration.

House Bill 5761 would allow a business or property owner to delay payment of taxes if they were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic or recent flooding caused by dam failures, such as the breaching of the Edenville and Sanford Dam, which flooded the Tittabawassee River and parts of Sanford in late May.

Both the COVID-19 outbreak and the flooding led to state emergency declarations.

A related bill, HB 5810, allows cash assistance for local city and county governments facing budget shortfalls caused by late tax payments. The collection of property taxes account for a substantial amount of a city’s yearly operating budget.

Businesses deemed nonessential have been closed in Michigan, and over 2.3 million residents have filed for jobless claims. In addition, the dam breaks forced the evacuations of 10,000 Midland County residents. The flooding caused an estimated $175 million in damage and destroyed more than 2,500 homes, according to Michigan House Republicans.

As a result, Whitmer declared emergency status for the counties of Arenac, Gladwin, Iosco and Saginaw, as well as Midland County and the city of Midland.