Township Motion to Dismiss(201479587.1).pdf
Lonnie L Maguire, Petitioner Vs. Township Of Juniata, Respondent · 24-004078-TT
Text extracted from the reviewed PDF, organized by page. OCR and reading order may contain errors; confirm details in the PDF below.
Page 1
STATE OF MICHIGAN MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL SMALL CLAIMS DIVISION LONNIE L. MAGUIRE, MTT Docket No. 24-004078-TT Petitioner, Parcel Id. No.: 014-003-000-0300-00 v TOWNSHIP OF JUNIATA, Respondent. Lonnie L. Maguire Mallory E. Reader (P84806) Petitioner FOSTER SWIFT COLLINS & SMITH, PC 4035 VanGeisen Road Attorney for Respondent Caro, MI 48723 1700 E. Beltline Ave. NE, Suite 200 (586) 747-8238 Grand Rapids, MI 49525 maguirelonnie21@gmail.com (616) 726-2250 mreader@fosterswift.com RESPONDENT’S MOTION TO DISMISS Respondent, Township of Juniata, through its attorneys, Foster Swift Collins & Smith, P.C., states as follows: 1. Petitioner filed this petition to appeal a special assessment for Parcel No. 014-003- 000-0300-00 (the “Subject Property”) that is within the Township’s 2024-2028 Garbage Collection and Disposal Special Assessment District No. 1 (the “District”). The Township confirmed the special assessment roll for the District on October 8, 2024. The total amount of the special assessment being levied against the Subject Property is $1,254.96. 2. The Tribunal does not have jurisdiction to hear this appeal. The Tax Tribunal Act specifies that “[flor a special assessment dispute, the special assessment shall be protested at the hearing held for the purpose of confirming the special assessment roll before the tribunal acquires
Page 2
jurisdiction of the dispute.” MCL 205.735a(5). A petitioner’s failure to protest is sufficient to support the Tax Tribunal's dismissal for lack of jurisdiction. Covert Twp v Consumers Power Co., 217 Mich App 352, 355-56; 551 NW2d 464 (1996). 3. Section 5 of Petitioner's Complaint (Exhibit A) clearly states that Petitioner did not protest the special assessment roll because he "unable to attend” the public hearing on the special assessment roll. Because the jurisdiction and powers of the Tribunal are limited to those authorized by statute, the Tribunal lacks equitable power to preserve Petitioner’s challenge. S: The Tribunal does not have jurisdiction to hear this appeal; therefore, dismissal is warranted. WHEREFORE, Respondent, Township of Juniata, hereby requests that this Honorable Tribunal GRANT its Motion and enter an Order (a) dismissing the case; and (b) granting such other relief as the Tribunal considers just. FOSTER, SWIFT, COLLINS & SMITH, PC Attorneys for Respondent Dated: May 7, 2025 By: Mallory E. Reader (P84806) 1700 E. Beltline Ave. NE, Suite 200 Grand Rapids, MI 49525 (616) 726-2250 mreader@fosterswift.com 85665:00001:201468380-1
Page 3
EXHIBIT RECEIVED A 5 0CT $1 2024 Jl LE) MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL er STATE OF MICHIGAN GRETCHEN WHITMER DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS MARLON I. BROWN, DPA GOVERNOR LANSING DIRECTOR PROPERTY TAX APPEAL PETITION FORM SPECIAL ASSESSMENT Section 1: Petitioner’s Contact Information First Name MI. Last Name/Company Name Lonnie L Maguire Mailing Address (No., Street, P.O. Box or Rural Route) 4035 VanGeisen Rd. City or Town State ZIP Code Caro Mi 48723 Telephone Number Fax Number 586-747-8238 E-mall Address (do not enter unless you want MTT to send all correspondence via e-mail) maguirelonnie21@gmail.com Section 2: Petitioner's AliorhsylAlithorized Representative’s Contact Information First Name Last Name Firm Name (if any) i 1806 nino: aaih Address (No., Street, P.O. Box or Rural Routa) LIKE fii: i] A 1D: LONNIE MAG Tit City or Town State ZIP Code Telephone Number Fax Number E-mail Address (do not enter unless you want MTT to send all correspondence via e-mail) Section 3: Subject Property Information How many If you are appealing more than one parcel, are they contiguous or adjoining? parcelsareyou | [] vest [] No** NIA appealing? *If yes, use a multiple parcel form for information regarding any contiguous parcels. 1 **If no, you must file separate appeals for each non-contiguous or non-adjolning parcel or you will be defaulted. Property Address (No., Street, City, ST, ZIP) [If multiple, list first property's address] 4005 VanGeisen Rd., Caro, 48723 Parcel Identification Number(s): 014-003-000-0300-00 Taxing Authority (City or Township) ounty Juniata oor Tuscola
Page 4
EXHIBIT H 3 A >. = ig STATE OF MICHIGAN GRETCHEN WHITMER DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS MARLON 1. BROWN, DPA GOVERNOR DIRECTOR LANSING Section 4: Explain the Reason for this Appeal This property (4005) is exempt from current garbage collection assessment because the building is vacant and I'm paying/utilizing garbage pickup on adjoining property (4035) where | reside. Asking to maintain exemption on 4005 property for 2024-2028 garbage collection special assessment district no.1 until I'm able to demo the structure. Section 5: Jurisdictional Issues Did you protest the special assessment at the hearing held to confirm the special assessment roli? O Yes 4 No If Yes, what was the date of the hearing held to confirm the spacial assessment roll? If No, explain: Unable to attend Fee Information: A fee of $100.00 Is required for the filing of a Special Assessment Appeal. Signature +reguired Petitioner or Attorn; IAwthorizad “Wl s__ NTPApL. Agree (ZN & 7 7 (4 A