Election Audit Results

Last month, the State of Michigan with local cooperation conducted a random Risk Limiting Audit of the November 3, 2020 Presidential Election. This audit called for Clerks statewide to select over 18,000 random ballots from the 5.57 million ballots cast. Once selected, the Clerks then were required to hand-tabulate the Presidential contest and report the results to their Counties, who in-turn reported results to the State.

The tabulated results confirmed that the election was conducted securely and fairly, with statewide sampling results within one percentage point of tabulated results. The results are a testament to election transparency and security, and the tireless and excellent work of elections clerks, their staff, and the State of Michigan. A full Bureau of Elections report will be issued by the State of Michigan shortly.

DeWitt Township Police Provided Autism Toolkits

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 54 children across America have been identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder with many of these individuals likely to come in contact with First Responders. DeWitt Township Police were provided Autism sensory toolkits which will be kept in patrol cars and utilized when addressing a situation with an individual who has Autism. These kits contain toys and other devices which, when given to someone with Autism, provide a sense of calming and security to that individual allowing them to filter out extra sensory information which would otherwise be distracting. These tools can also provide relief in stressful or high-pressure situations. These kits were delivered last week by Anne-Marie Dionise of the Mid-Michigan Autism Association. Staff has undergone training to best utilize kits to their full capability. Any equipment that can be made available to enhance our awareness and improve operations is very much appreciated and we thank the Mid-Michigan Autism Association for their donation.

Renters Rights

Landlord/tenant laws in Michigan spell out many tenant rights such as the right to live in a safe house or apartment and the right to withhold rent if the landlord refuses to make repairs necessary to classify your rental property as a safe place to live.

Renters in Michigan are entitled by law to rental property which is structurally sound, which offers a healthy interior environment, and which is in generally good repair. If a landlord fails to perform certain necessary repairs such as non-working heating equipment, electrical safety problems or leaky roofs or basements, renters have certain legal rights including:

The right to withhold rent until the repairs are made, and
The right to repair and deduct, meaning the right to hire a professional contractor to make the necessary repairs.

Withholding rent due to repairs you feel are necessary without fully researching and following the State law can result in an eviction. The link below will help guide tenants through this process including the following:

The type of property repair and living condition problems which would qualify you for withholding rent or a repair and deduct strategy.
The type of notice and timelines to be given to your landlord.
The maximum amount of rent to be withheld or deducted.
The level of protection you have from landlord retaliation (eviction).
All other conditions that apply towards a withhold or deduct strategy including setting up an escrow account.

Michigan Legislature Practical Guide for Tenants & Landlords

March 2021 Board of Review

Assessment notices were mailed this week. Taxable Values increased 1.4% unless there was new construction or a transfer in ownership in 2020. For those wishing to appeal their assessment, the Board of Review dates are Monday, March 8th and Wednesday, March 10th. Please see the Assessment notice for specific times. Appeals will only be heard virtually by phone conference OR by letter, pursuant to the State of Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Emergency Order-Gatherings and Face Mask Order dated February 5, 2021. Please call (517) 669-6494 to schedule a conference call appointment and to receive the meeting dial-in number and PIN. Letters of Appeal will be accepted until 4:00 p.m., March 10, 2021. Letters can be emailed to lfox@dewitttwp.org, returned in-person to the Assessing Department, placed in the Township drop box, or mailed.

Unclaimed Property

The Michigan Department of Treasury has millions of dollars in lost or forgotten assets from dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, valuables left in safe deposit boxes, and stock certificates. Because these properties were considered abandoned and unclaimed by the bank or company entrusted with them, they are turned over to the State, as required by law. The Michigan Department of Treasury is the custodian of these assets and returns them to their owner (or owner’s heirs) when they are rightfully claimed. Visit unclaimedproperty.michigan.gov to determine if the State is holding valuables on your behalf.

Prevent Fire! Inspect Your Chimney

Chimneys should be inspected annually when active. You may have built up creosote or deficiencies in chimney linings that could lead to a chimney fire. Early detection for a chimney would be hearing a popping, crackling noise throughout your stove-pipe or visually checking for flames that can be seen coming out of your chimney top. When utilizing a chimney, it is important to only used seasoned wood, have working smoke detectors and never leave a fire unattended.

Michiganders Granted Relief from Unemployment Benefit Tax Penalties and Interest

Michiganders who collected state unemployment benefits last year will not be required to pay penalty and interest related to underpaid estimated tax payments, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury. Effective immediately, the state Treasury Department has granted an automatic waiver of all penalties and interest related to underpaid estimated tax payments owed by taxpayers who received unemployment benefits in 2020. Under state law, taxpayers are required to pay quarterly estimated tax payments when the annual tax due is expected to exceed $500 or more.

All taxpayers who received unemployment during the 2020 tax year will automatically receive this waiver. Because this waiver is automatic, taxpayers do not need to contact the state Treasury Department. To learn more about the State of Michigan’s individual income tax, go to www.michigan.gov/incometax.

E-News February, 2021