Treasurer
The City Treasurer’s Office performs property tax collection, accounts receivable billing and handles cash receipts management tasks for the City of Muskegon. The Office of the City Treasurer collects all City, County, and Schools taxes on real estate and personal property, and collects all fees and service charges.
Citizens can call or come into the office where a knowledgeable staff member will assist them with questions or problems they may have. Since 1893 (the year the General Property Tax Act was approved), City of Muskegon property owners have received tax bills from the Treasurer’s Office. Our busiest months are from December through February of each year when property owners receive (December) and pay a bill for the winter taxes.
The Customer Service staff handles numerous inquiries about tax bills, special assessments, and everybody’s favorite, parking violations.
Questions with specifics on the violation cited, City ordinances, vehicle impounds, and improper signing. For further information, questions, complaints please contact Muskegon Police Department at (231) 724-6750.
The Treasurer’s Office is on the first floor of City Hall and also provides a cashiering station where taxpayers may conveniently make payments on their bills. Each customer service representative handles an average of 373 water customers, 159 parking violations, and 181 miscellaneous transactions per month.
The City Treasurer’s Office continually strives to ensure the timely and accurate billing and collection of taxes and fees, and receipt of all payments to the City. These funds are then invested in a prudent manner in accordance with State Law and the City Investment Policy. Our goal is to maximize the financial resources available to meet the needs of the City and its citizenry by performing these tasks in an efficient and cost effective manner.
Utility Fees and Charges
Water & Sewer Charges
Water is $1.40 per 100 cubic feet for both residential and commercial; sewer is $1.97 per 100 cubic feet for residential and $2.48 per 100 cubic feet for commercial. Residential and commercial customers pay either an $8.00 quarterly or $2.67 monthly fee for sewer administration.
There are other charges to be aware of:
Turn on charge (AFTER HOURS) $35
Water-Sewer turn on charge (REGULAR HOURS) $25
Water-Sewer turn on charge (SEASONAL USE) $12.50
Late Charge
A penalty of 10% of the current charges for water and sewer will be added to any bill paid after the due date.
Emergency Services
Emergency services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. To request emergency water/sewer services due to a meter leak, water main break, or fire hydrant leak, call (231) 724-4100 during normal business hours. After 4:30 p.m. or on weekends and holidays, please call (231) 737-2680.
Water Service Installation(Tap)
The Public Works Department makes taps to the water and sewer systems. Fees must be paid at the Treasurer’s Office before the tap can be made. The Public Works Department requires a minimum of three days notice for Miss Dig to schedule a tap. The tap fee for a residential service 5/8″ meter is $800 for water and $800 for sewer. Please contact the Department of Public Works at (231) 724-4100 for cost estimates for all commercial inquires and meters over 5/8″. The charges will be billed based on time and material plus 25% for overhead for work performed.
Fines
Unauthorized use of the water system is subject to a fine of $200. This includes, but is not limited to, unauthorized turn- on/off water at main value and unmetered water use ($20 PER DAY).
Leak Adjustments
The City of Muskegon Resolution No. 95-030 (d), Section 4.0 was adopted to promote water conservation by encouraging customers to promptly fix leaks and plumbing problems and to establish guidelines that provide fair and consistent treatment of residential water/sewer customers requesting leak adjustments. Leak adjustments are for residential water/sewer customers only. No more that one leak adjustment will be allowed in any two (2) year period and no more than two (2) consecutive billing quarters will be adjusted. The request must be made within 30 days of the due date for the quarter initially involved and must be have the following documentation:
1. A written statement from the customer describing the nature of the problem, date the repairs were completed, and copies of the paid receipts for services and/or supplies.
2. Current reading (at the time of the request) from both the meter and the remote device to be furnished by the customer.
Leak adjustments are based on the meter usage experience after repairs are made and will be made only if usage is demonstrably reduced. If lost water entered the sanitary sewer system (leaky toilet, kitchen faucet, ect.), leak adjustments to customer’s water and sewer bill will equal 25% of the estimated loss for no more than two (2) billing quarters. If lost water did not enter the sanitary sewer system (leaks in crawl space or into ground), water charges will be adjusted 25% of the estimated loss for no more than two billing quarters and sewer charges will be adjusted to normal usage based on prior year’s usage patterns.
Tenant Payment Affidavits
The City of Muskegon Resolution No. 95-030 (d), Section 6.0 provides the following:
6.1 Affidavits filed with the City pursuant to MCL 123.165 shall include the date filed, the expiration date of the lease, and have attached to them a fully executed, true and exact copy of the lease, containing the required statutory language requiring the tenant to pay the water and sewer charges. The affidavit shall quote and refer to the language in the lease, and contain a certification by the owner that the lease is in full force and effect on the date of filling and further the statement, signed by the owner, that alteration of the lease shall be immediately communicated to the City of Muskegon as required by statute.
The affidavits are only valid for the duration of the lease. On average, a lease is usually for 12 months (one year). The tenant is required to pay a deposit of $200 when the tenant comes into the Water/Sewer Billing Department to sign on for service pursuant to section 6.2 of Resolution No. 95-030 (d).
The City Treasurer’s office is managed is by:
Derrick Smith, City Treasurer
933 Terrace St.
Muskegon, MI 49440
Phone Number: (231) 724-6720
Fax Number: (231) 724-6768
