Dorr Twp. assessing improving in passing tests

Dorr Township’s property assessment troubles of two years ago with the state have improved significantly, according to Township Clerk Brian Boot.

Dorr Township two years ago failed on 11 of the 13 new state regulations, but this year passed on nine.

Township Treasurer Jim Martin indicated most of the 1,000 townships in Michigan failed to meet the new regulations, in fact, only about a dozen passed.

Supervisor Jeff Miling reported the state will not examine Dorr assessing practices again until 2018.

The new regulations were the result of the state’s desire to all municipalities doing things in the same way.

Assessor Patti Sampley was granted permission to put in more hours and receive higher wages for her services because of the extra work load, over the objections of Trustees Patty Senneker and John Tuinstra.  She now commands an annual salary of $68,000.

Clerk Brian Boot said in 2014, “It’s basically $150,000 over three years.” He added that he doesn’t like the added expense, but if the assessing isn’t upgraded, the state will come in and do work at added cost.

So Sampley was charged with working three days rather than one day per week and she has been performing a reassessment for the entire township and its more than 3,200 parcels.

“This isn’t just a problem for Dorr Township,” explained Martin. “It’s statewide. All rural townships failed their audits because the state changed its standards.”

Sampley was contracted by the township from the firm of Ted Gruizenga in September 2013 after Don Kaczanowski retired.

PHOTO: Outgoing Clerk Brian Boot (left) gets a good-bye handshake from Trustee Josh Otto, who told him, “You’re a good man.” Boot was attending his last meeting after serving one four-year term. He was defeated in the Republican primary in August by Debbie Sewers.