Legal Duties
Annually we perform appraisals and audits of real and personal property located in the City as of December 31. This is done for the purpose of property tax assessment.
State Law requires us to annually "assess" property in the City of Wyoming on a uniform basis at 50% of the "usual selling price." These "assessments" or Assessed Values are arrived at by mass appraisal procedures and techniques as prescribed and recommended by the:
- General Real Estate Appraisal Theory and Practice
- International Association of Assessing Officers
- Michigan State Tax Commission
In 1994, an Amendment to our Michigan Constitution known as "Proposal A" established and requires us to convert Assessments to Taxable Values. Taxable Values are now the base used exclusively to calculate taxes.
The Assessor's office provides the non-voting Secretary for the City of Wyoming Board of Review that meets in March, July and December. Our office also provides assistance and research for the Board.
We defend the City of Wyoming assessed and taxable values when appeals are made to the Michigan Tax Tribunal.
Industrial Facilities Tax Abatements
These are properties that receive a special reduction in their millage rates or a "freezing of their Assessments" for a specific time period as an inducement to improve the industrial business environment and labor base in our community.
We place them in a specific roll called the "IFT Roll." Except for the "Frozen AV" Rehabilitation Properties, we reappraise them like any other property in the city.
Industrial companies interested in these should contact the City Manager's Office.
Property Improvements
Existing properties are improved and update regularly, as well as, complete, new construction on vacant lots.
As we are notified of this activity we visit, measure, observe and note the construction type, quality and condition of all improvements installed on the site.
After completion, we appraise the property with the new construction and calculate a new Assessed and Taxable Value.