Senate approves Van Woerkom legislation to help clarify drain work notices for property owners
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
LANSING — The Senate recently approved a bill that would bring more clear and uniform language to notices of cost assignments for drain work, said Sen. Gerald Van Woerkom, sponsor of the measure.
“This legislation will help make property owners more aware of drain work being conducted on their land,” said Van Woerkom, R-Norton Shores. “While drain commissioners currently send notices to the landowners, this will ensure that the notices all contain specific and important information. It is vital that we make this process transparent for consumers.”
Senate Bill 715 would require drain work notices to clearly state that the costs for completed work will be added to a landowner’s property taxes. The notice must also inform the landowner that he or she may pay the assessment in full with any interest applied to date to avoid further interest charges.
“Property owners don’t always realize that the charge for the drain work is included in their property tax bill, so this legislation should help clarify that,” Van Woerkom said. “It should also help landowners avoid paying unnecessary interest costs, which often amount to more than the original charge for services. I encourage the state House to approve this bill quickly to help Michigan residents.”
The bill is now awaiting action by the House Intergovernmental and Regional Affairs Committee.
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