The Office of the County Treasurer was established by Michigan States Constitution (Article VII, Section 4). The four-year term of office is filled by partisan election. The duties and powers of the County Treasurer are provided by states law and by authorization of the count Board of Commissioners. The two main roles of the treasurer are as the custodian of all county funds and the collector of taxes. Additionally, the treasurer fulfills many other duties.

The county receives money from several sources. The principle source of revenue is an ad valorem property tax. Other income is received from state and federal grants, interest income and various service and license fees. Many of the county's departments collect money in the course of their business. This money is periodically deposited with the treasurer, who is in a sense, the county's banker. Besides revenue items, the treasurer is responsible for large amount of money in various trust and agency funds. These include such classes as circuit court trust, veterans' trust, special drainage districts and county road improvement projects.

The office is responsible for accounting of all revenue coming to the county for investments of idle funds, for the securities and monies held in financial institutions; collection of delinquent property taxes; re-conveyance of property; certification of deeds and plat maps and other documents pertaining to tax histories and litigations; also conducts the annual tax sale on behalf of the State Treasury.

Some also serve as Treasurer and/or member of Building Authorities, Parks and Recreation Commissions, Library Boards, Local Development Companies, Economic Commissions, Planning Boards, Deferred Compensation Boards, Drainage Boards, and appointed Administrative Agents for Tax Administration Funds. The functions of this office are dictated by state statutes, under the guidance of the Bureau of Local Government Service Audit Division and the State Treasury Department.
 

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Go to www.GovPayNow.com
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Pay Delinquent Taxes,
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Internet Service Fee: 3.5% (minimum $3.50)
Phone Service Fee: 5% (minimum $11.00)

Office Staff

Treasurer
          Pamela Johnson
pjohnson@algercourthouse.com

Chief Deputy Treasurer
          Alison Thomma
athomma@algercourthouse.com

Deputy Treasurer
          Janet Morrison
jmorrison@algercourthouse.com

Links
Public Land Auction
Property Tax Search

Delinquent Taxes

Q. If I don’t pay my taxes, will I really lose my home?
A. YES. Under PA123 of 1999, if your taxes are delinquent for 25 months, you lose your property.

Q. What is a delinquent tax?
A. A delinquent tax is a tax bill that was forwarded to the county treasurer for collection on March 1st of the year after it was due. For example, taxes that are billed by your city or township treasurer in 2007 were turned delinquent to the county treasurer on March 1, 2008.

Q. What happens after the property is forwarded to the county treasurer for collection?
A. The county treasurer adds a required 4% county administration fee and 1% per month interest. After one year, the property is forfeited to the county treasurer. For example, 2007 taxes still unpaid as of March 1, 2009 are forfeited.

Q. What does it mean for my property to be in Forfeiture?
A. FORFEITURE IS THE BEGINNING OF THE FORCLOSURE PROCESS. If your property is in forfeiture, you will still have 13 months before it will be foreclosed. However, the interest and fees will be higher. When a property is forfeited, the interest rate goes from 1% per month to 1.5% per month back to the date the taxes became delinquent (an additional ½ % interest per month is added retroactive to March 1, 2008) and $240.00 in additional fees is added. A Notice of Forfeiture is recorded with the Register of Deeds.

Q. What happens after my property is in Forfeiture?
A. After a property has been in Forfeiture for 13 months, it will be foreclosed. 2007 property taxes will be foreclosed March 31, 2010.

Q. Can I get my property back if it is foreclosed?
A. NO. FORECLOSURE IS FINAL! You can not get your property back after it has been foreclosed. Foreclosed property may go to public auction.

Q. Will I receive any notice before my property is foreclosed?
A. Yes. You will receive five notices. Two will be by first class mail, two by certified mail and once by personal service. The names and addresses of those with an interest in forfeited property will also be published in the Munising News.

Q. I don’t have to worry about losing my property yet. Why not wait and pay my taxes later?
A. DON’T WAIT! Unpaid property taxes from 2007 will result in property foreclosure March 31, 2010. If all taxes, penalties and interest are not paid before the end of the redemption period, you will lose your property. Foreclosure is final!

Q. What if I don’t have all the money right now?
A. If you can’t pay your taxes all at once, you can make partial payments. When making payments, remember to:
1. make your check or money order payable to the Alger County Treasurer
2. include your parcel number on your payment
3. mail your payment to 101 Court Street, Munising, MI 49862

If you can’t pay your taxes, you may contact the Michigan Department of Human Services at 387-4440 or visit them at 101 Court Street, Munising for possible financial assistance.

ALGER COUNTY PROPERTY FORECLOSURE TIME LINE for 2007 property taxes.

July 1/December 1 2007
Summer and winter property taxes are billed by your local city or township treasurer.

March 1, 2008
Unpaid 2007 property taxes are turned over delinquent to the county treasurer for collection. A 4% administration fee is added plus 1% per month interest.

October 2008
A $15.00 fee is added to your taxes.

March 1, 2009
Property is forfeited to the county treasurer. An additional $240.00 in fees is added. Monthly interest rate increases to 1.5%, including back one year (or more) to the date taxes became delinquent.

December 1, 2009
Cutoff date for newspaper publication of all ownership interest in property. Publication fee is added.

February 2010
Circuit Court enters a Judgment of Foreclosure. From the date of this judgment, property owners have until March 31 to pay the taxes, plus penalties and interest, or lose their property.

March 31, 2010
Clear title passes to the Alger County Treasurer.

July-September 2010
Foreclosed property may go to public auction by the Alger County Treasurer.


Public Act 123 of 1999 made changes to the law about paying property taxes. Under the old law, property owners had more time – and second chances – to pay.

Under the new law, if your taxes are delinquent for 25 months, that’s it. You’ve lost your property.

Less Time to Pay

Public Act 123 shortens the amount of time you have to pay your property taxes. You now have about 2 years to pay, not five. Property owners who owe 2007 property taxes will have to pay their taxes by March 31, 2010, or lose their property.

Higher Interest and Fees

Property owners will be charged higher interest and fees for not paying their taxes. Property taxes that are delinquent (overdue) for more than one year will have a 50% higher interest rate (1.5% per month instead of 1% per month). Property taxes that are delinquent for one year will also have fees of at least $240 added to them.

Don’t delay!
Don’t lose your PROPERTY –
Pay your overdue taxes NOW.
Foreclosure is final!

For further information, please call the Alger County Treasurer’s Office at 906-387-4535

DOG LICENSES

All dogs must be licensed annually on or about January 1st. The fees are $5.00 per year for neutered or spayed dogs (proof of neuter/spay must be provided) and $10.00 per year for non-neutered or non-spayed dogs. A valid rabies certificate must be presented.

Distribution locations are as follows:

Alger County Treasurer’s Office
101 Court Street, Munising, MI 49862

Burt Township Office
Everett Street, Grand Marais, MI 49839

Alger County Animal Shelter
H-58, Munising, MI 49839

Kennel License Fees are $10.00 per year for 1 to 10 dogs and $25.00 per year for over 10 dogs. The Alger County Sheriff’s Department will issue the license upon inspection of the kennel. They can be reached by calling 906-387-4444 to schedule the inspection.

If you have any questions regarding the licensing of your dog, please feel free to contact the Alger County Treasurer’s Office at 906-387-4535.