PROPERTY TAXES IN A DECLINING MARKET

The Constitutional Amendment, known as Proposal A, has minimized property taxes for the majority of property owners for many years. For individuals that have lived in their homes for many years, the difference between their Assessed Value (1/2 of the property’s market value) and Taxable Value (the limitation imposed by Proposal A), grew significantly. Please see the illustration below:

Proposal A requires that the Taxable Value increase by the Inflation Rate Multiplier (IRM), however, it cannot exceed the Assessed Value. In an appreciating market, the gap between Assessed Value and Taxable Value broadens. However, in a declining market, the exact opposite is true, the gap closes. Please see the illustration to the below:

Due to the economic climate in Michigan, most neighborhoods are experiencing a decline in property value. The Assessor’s Office spends a considerable amount of time analyzing sales in order to estimates property values as of December 31, 2008. The Michigan State Tax Commission issued a bulletin addressing Single Year Sales Study Guidelines and Date Change. This bulletin states, “Sales occurring between October 1 of the previous year through September 30 prior to tax day shall be used in the single-year study”. In a declining market, the focus is on those sales that have occurred between October 1, 2007 and September 30, 2008. Property values are not based on the individual sales price, but rather the usual selling price.

Physical additions, such as adding a garage, and physical losses, such as removing a screened-in-porch, may have an impact on the Taxable Value of the property.

The calculation of the Inflation Rate Multiplier (IRM) is set by State Law MCL 211.34d. The entire state’s IRM for 2009 is 4.4%. The March Board of Review does not have the authority to change the Inflation Rate Multiplier. The March Board of Review does not have the authority to change the calculation of Taxable Value.

A newsletter including more detailed answers to some questions property owners may have will be mailed with their Notice of Assessment during the third week of February. Further information can be found on Civic Center TV 15 and Civic Center TV 915 beginning in late February.

Property taxes provide funding for local schools, community colleges, local government including police and fire protection, county government, parks and recreation facilities and library services, among many others.

The Assessor’s Office can provide additional information about assessments, taxable value and property taxes. Please feel free to contact us should you have any questions. We can be reached at 248-451-4850.

The Fire Department has received two new pieces of firefighting equipment. These new trucks will replace two aging fire engines that were due to be taken out of service, but the replacements add some new features. These types of trucks are called “quints”. In addition to being able to pump water from the fire hydrants, then through the fire hoses, they also have a 75 foot aerial device. Currently, the only aerial device owned by the fire department is a tower truck, which can extend up to 100 feet. With the addition of the quints, aerial devices can now be strategically located throughout the Township ensuring a rapid response for this critical tool. Besides having life and property saving potential, it is possible that once these trucks are in service, the Township may be able to obtain a more favorable evaluation for home-owner and business insurance rates, possibly saving residents and businesses money on their insurance bills.

Even though we don’t have high-rise buildings in West Bloomfield, aerial devices are used frequently on fire scenes. These devices can provide a large, elevated stream of water (up to 2,000 gallons of water a minute) when there is a large body of fire that needs to be knocked down, and they also provide a safe working platform when firefighters are performing roof operations. It typically takes all 75 to 100 feet of the ladder to simply reach a second-story rooftop from the street.

The new quints will be running out of Station 2 on Maple between Drake and Halsted, and at Station 9, on Orchard Lake Road north of Commerce. The current tower truck is assigned to Station 5, on Maple between Orchard Lake and Middlebelt. Stop in and take a look at your beautiful new trucks!

Many times when responding to medical emergencies, paramedics face a difficult problem. The patient may be confused or unresponsive, and may not be able to provide helpful or even life-saving information regarding medical history, current medications or drug allergies.

In a joint effort with Henry Ford Hospital West Bloomfield, the fire department has begun the nationally recognized program called the File of Life. The public can obtain a packet from any West Bloomfield Fire Station, free of charge. In the packet, you will find instructions on how to use the forms. The forms once filled out will provide the paramedics and emergency room personnel with the patient’s vital medical information that may have an impact on the course of treatment, as well as emergency contact numbers of the patient’s family and/or friends.

Once the forms are competed, they should be placed in the magnetized pouch provided, and placed on the refrigerator door, as shown in the photo. The entire package measures 5 by 4¼ inches. There is also a wallet card included in the material for the patient to carry when away from home.

If you or someone you know could benefit from this program, stop by any of the fire stations and pick up a packet, or if you can’t get out, call us at 248-409-1505 and we’ll make arrangements for you to get the material. Thanks to Firefighter/Paramedic Kris Marrs for spearheading this program and to Henry Ford Hospital West Bloomfield for making it possible.

Americans came to know “First Responders” in the dramatic aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy as reports of their heroism underscored their essential functions. The same cannot be said of their bookend group, “First Preventers”: the often unheralded building and fire safety officials whose job it is to head off serious harm by checking and double-checking structures for code compliance. From hurricanes and tornadoes to floods, wildfires and earthquakes, the codes administered by First Preventers play a major role in saving lives, protecting property and reducing recovery cost-which must often be compensated for with taxpayer dollars.

Who are First Preventers? They may have the title of Building Inspector, Fire Chief, Structural Engineer, Fire Inspector, Electrical Inspector, Plumbing Inspector, Structural Safety Official, Building Official or Plan Reviewer, to list some common designations. However, these labels can obscure their shared mission of preventing harm by ensuring compliance with building and fire safety codes before a disaster occurs.

Police officers and fire fighters are the visible part of public safety. There is another part you may not notice. It's also around you everyday when you sleep, eat, work, learn, play, shop and worship. It has an impact on your safety and the safety of each member of your family. The effect of how safe it is will only be noticed in an emergency. This other part of public safety that you may not notice or even think about is building safety. Think about all the different types of buildings you enter each day; your home, office, supermarket, restaurant or church, just to name a few.

In these buildings, there are fire alarms that warn you in case of an emergency, smoke detectors that wake you during a fire, bedroom windows large enough for you to escape, and ground fault circuit interrupters that protect you when you plug in the hair dryer, clear and identifiable paths for you to exit should an emergency arise. The next time you're in Hendry Ford Hospital, Beaumont Medical Office Building, Gateway Center, Orchard Mall, or your favorite restaurant, look up and notice the fire sprinkler system that will put out the fire, the exit signs that show you how to exit the building, the emergency lights that will light your way if the power fails.

Safe buildings don't happen by chance. In West Bloomfield Township, you have a crew of 20 professionals silently working behind the scenes defending your safety. These professionals are team members of the West Bloomfield Township Building Department and Development Services Department. They are educated and trained to inspect each new building to insure the safety of everyone who enters. They are the First Preventers of Public Safety and they are working for you.

The West Bloomfield Township Building Department making buildings safe for you to enjoy!

The West Bloomfield Police Department’s Youth Bureau is committed to assisting parents in our community with concerns that may arise in the course of their children’s school year. The Youth Bureau consists of Detective Mark Wilson, Detective Joe Brusseau and Sergeant Tara Kane. Their primary focus is addressing any sexual or physical abuse allegations, behavioral issues that constitute truancy or incorrigibility and any juvenile incidents which would lead to the juvenile court system. The Youth Bureau staff supports prevention and education. Should you ever need assistance in the above regard, please contact them for resource information.

Detective Wilson is assigned to the West Bloomfield School District and has an office at both the West Bloomfield High School as well as at the police department. On most school days he may be found at the high school, however, he is available for your concerns. Please contact Detective Wilson at 248-975-8925 realizing that due to his responsibilities with the school district, he may not be available to speak directly with you when you call, however, he will return your call.

Detective Brusseau‘s primary responsibility is to assist children that are West Bloomfield residents who attend non-West Bloomfield schools. He may be reached at 248-975-8926. He has made strong partnerships with the Walled Lake High Schools Liaison Officers as well as the Walled Lake elementary and middle school staff.

Sergeant Kane also investigates matters that involve children. She represents the police department and is a member of the Greater West Bloomfield Community Coalition for Youth. Sergeant Kane may be reached at 248-975-8922.

The Youth Bureau maintains resource information for parents when assistance is needed in matters involving their children. The Youth Coalition offers parent forums and free education seminars at the West Bloomfield Library on a monthly basis. For further information, please review their website at: www.gwbcoalition.org.

Other resources include Common Ground and Carehouse of Oakland County. Common Ground Sanctuary serves Oakland County adults, children and families through a variety of programs including 24-hour crisis and referral hotline; 24-hour psychiatric screening and assessment; short-term residential psychiatric facility for adults; victim assistance/advocacy; short-term shelter care, transitional living, street outreach services and outpatient counseling for runaway and homeless youth; in-home youth and family counseling; support and education groups. For more information call 248-456-8150, crisis hotline (800) 231-1127. www.commongroundsanctuary.org. Carehouse-Child Abuse and Neglect Council of Oakland County serves the immediate needs of neglected and abused children in our community while also reaching out with advocacy and prevention programs aimed at breaking the cycle of abuse and neglect. For more information call 248-332-7173. www.carehouse.org.

The West Bloomfield Police Department recognizes that today’s youth are the future leaders of America. We are committed to helping our youth be the best they can be!

In 1984, West Bloomfield granted a non-exclusive cable television franchises to Continental Cablevision. The franchise was transferred to MediaOne in 1997, renewed in 2000, and transferred to Comcast in 2001.

The Greater West Bloomfield Cable Advisory Board was established in 1985 by West Bloomfield, Keego Harbor, Orchard Lake, and Sylvan Lake to fulfill the communities’ franchise agreement obligation to "function collectively for the entire franchise system in regards to cable television". The Board consists of twelve members (six from West Bloomfield and two from each of the three cities).

Since 1985, the Board has