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Groat Tribunal Answer05262026.pdf

Laura Walton Groat, Parke Groat Petitioners V Township Of Whitefish Respondent · 26-000990-TT

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Page 1

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STATE OF MICHIGAN 

GRETCHEN WHITMER 

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS 

MARLON I. BROWN, DPA 

GOVERNOR 

LANSING 

DIRECTOR 

PROPERTY TAX APPEAL ANSWER FORM 

VALUATION / EXEMPTION / CLASSIFICATION APPEAL 

MTT DOCKET NO. 26-000990 

Section 1: Respondent’s Contact Information 

First Name: 

M.L: 

Last Name/Company Name/Unit of Government: 

Home Address (No., Street, P.O. Box or Rural Route): 

County: 

City or Town: 

State: 

ZIP Code: 

Mi 

Telephone Number: 

Fax Number: 

E-mail Address (do not enter unless you want MTT to send all correspondence via email): 

Section 2: Respondent’s Attorney/Authorized Representative’s Contact Information 

First Name: 

M.L: 

Last Name: 

Tina 

M 

Fuller 

Firm Name (if any): 

Address (No., Street, P.O. Box or Rural Route): 

17165 S Deer Run Rd 

City or Town: 

State: 

ZIP Code: 

Kinross 

Mi 

49752 

Telephone Number: 

Fax Number: 

906-360-9055 

E-mail Address (do not enter unless you want MTT to send all correspondence via email): 

whitefishtwpassessor@gmail.com 

Section 3: Subject Property Information 

Does the subject property have a Principal Residence Exemption of 50% or more? 

[] Yes 

O 

No 

Are the parcels listed by Petitioner contiguous or adjoining? 

If not, list which parcels adjoin one another. 

ves 

[J No 

[A NotApplicable

Page 2

STATE OF MICHIGAN 

GRETCHEN WHITMER 

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS 

MARLON |. BROWN, DPA 

GOVERNOR 

LANSING 

DIRECTOR 

Section 4: Explain Your Answer to this Appeal 

The True Cash Value,"the usual selling price" of the subject property is $145,000 for the 

year 2026. This value is based on comparable vacant waterfront property sales located 

along Lake Superior, the property's water frontage of 112 feet as indicated in the land 

description and it's use as a residential property. 

The attached 2026 land value sales study indicates land with frontage along Lake 

Superior to have a fair market value of $1370 a front foot based on sales of property 

between 04-01-2023 and 03-31-2025. 

The State Equalized Value as determined each year is calculated at 50% of True Cash 

Value which is 72,500. 

The taxable value of 46,009 does not exceed the assessed value and is consistent with 

Michigan Law, which caps taxable value increases under Proposal A to the lesser of 5% 

or the rate of inflation. 

Section 5: Jurisdictional Issues 

IF PETITIONER IS APPEALING THE TRUE CASH AND/OR TAXABLE VALUES 

Did Petitioner protest the assessment at a Board of Review (BOR)? [] Yes 

Od No 

If yes, check which BOR Petitioner attended: [| March 

[J July 

[J December 

If no, was the Notice of Assessment properly sent to Petitioner prior to the March BOR? O Yes 

[| No 

*Submit a copy of the Notice of Assessment with the Answer. 

If the July or December BOR revised the assessment(s) at issue, did it have authority? [0] Yes 

[m0] No 

If yes, cite the Board's authority. 

Was the assessment(s) at issue established as the result of a clerical error or mutual mistake of fact? O Yes 

[w] No 

If yes, explain 

Is Petitioner appealing from a State Tax Commission Order? 

Yes 

[No 

If so, what is the issue date? 

IF PETITIONER IS APPEALING THE UNCAPPING OF TAXABLE VALUE 

When was the Notice of Uncapping, if applicable, issued? 

Under what statutory section was the Taxable Value uncapped? 

IF PETITIONER IS APPEALING THE DENIAL OF A POVERTY EXEMPTION

Page 3

STATE OF MICHIGAN 

GRETCHEN WHITMER 

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS 

GOVERNOR 

LANSING 

MARLON |. BROWN, DPA 

DIRECTOR 

Did Petitioner request a Poverty Exemption ata BOR? [] Yes 

[VI No 

If Yes, check which BOR Petitioner attended: [J] March 

[J July 

[J December 

List the date the BOR denied Petitioner's Poverty Exemption: 

IF PETITIONER IS APPEALING THE DENIAL OF AN EXEMPTION 

OTHER THAN POVERTY, PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE, OR QUALIFIED AGRICULTURAL EXEMPTIONS 

Did Petitioner request the exemption ata BOR? [] Yes 

[No 

If Yes, check which BOR Petitioner attended: [] March 

[J July 

[J December 

Tax Year(s) denied: 

List the date the exemption was denied: 

What statutory section did Petitioner request the subject property be exempt? 

IF PETITIONER IS APPEALING THE CLASSIFICATION OF PROPERTY 

What do you believe the classification should be: 

Real 

Personal 

(check one) 

[i 

Agricultural 

Commercial 

Industrial 

Residential 

Timber-Cutover 

Developmental 

Utility 

(check one) 

Section 6: Valuation Information *use the multiple parcel form for additional, contiguous parcels. 

Parcel Identification Number: 

016-153-039-30 

Classification of Property: 

Real 

Personal 

(check one) 

7 

Agricultural 

Commercial 

Industrial 

Residential 

Timber-Cutover 

Developmental 

Utility 

(check one) 

Current Assessed Value (also known as State Equalized Value) as established by the BOR: 

72,500 

Current Taxable Value as established by the BOR: 

46,009 

What do you believe is the fair market value (also known as True Cash Value)? 

145,000 

Multiply the True Cash Value by .5 and enter here. This is your contention of Assessed Value. 

72,500 

If you believe the Taxable Value differs from your contention of Assessed Value, enter your contention of Taxable Value. 

S ig nature 

*required 

Respondenton Attorney/Aut 

d ya 's Signature: 

te 21

Page 4

parcel 

Number: 

016-153-039-30 

Jurisdiction: 

WHITEFISH TOWNSHIP 

County: 

Chippewa 

P

Grantor 

Grantee 

sale 

sale 

Inst. 

Terms 

of Sale 

Liber 

Price 

Date 

Type 

& Page 

GROAT PARKE 

G 

& LAURA W 

H 

GROAT PARKE 

G & WALTON-GR 

0 

02/12/2021 

QC 

18-LIFE ESTATE 

1339/204

GOODFALLOW CAROLYN 

W & JA GROAT PARKE 

G & LAURA 

W 

H 

55,000 

09/30/2020 

wp 

03-ARM'S LENGTH 

1330/392

Property Address 

Class: 

RESIDENTIAL-VACAN 

Zoning: 

Building Permit(s) 

Date 

5240 

N M123 

School: 

WHITEFISH 

SCHOOLS 

P.R.E. 

100% 10/07/2020 

owner's Name/Address 

GROAT PARKE 

G 

Map) #: 

WALTON GROAT LAURA 

S 

2026 

Est TCV 144,987 

PO BOX 234 

- 

PARADISE, 

MI 49768-0234 

Improved 

X 

Vacant 

Land value Estimates for Land Table LS.LAKE SUPERIO

public 

feron TN 

* Factors 

* 

Improvements 

Description 

HE 

Peres 

Front 

Depth 

Rate 

. 

LAKE SUPERIOR 112.00 

/ 0.00 0.9449 1.0000 

1370 

Tax Description *BALANCE OF LEGAL ON FILE 

Pint Roadie, 

112 Actual 

Front Eeet; 0.00 Total Acres 

Total 

SEC 3T48N R6W PART OF GOVT LOTS 

3 

& 

4 COM 

paved Road 

AT 

S 1/4 COR 

SD SEC; 

TH 

S 

88 DEG 47' 

46" 

E ALG 

S LINE SD SEC 1421.03 

FT TO PT ON 

Storm Sewer 

C/L M-123; 

TH 

N 

8 DEG 43' 

16" 

W ALG SD 

Sidewalk 

C/L 65.03 

FT; 

TH 

N 

5 DEG 

54' 

12" 

W ALG 

SD 

water 

C/L 1167.32 

FT 

TO POB; 

TH CONT 

N 

5 

DEG 

Sewer 

54' 

12" 

w ALG SD C/L 90.7 

FT; 

TH 

N 

86 DEG 

Electric 

29' 

01" 

E 260.29 

FT TO 

PT "B"; 

TH CON 

N 

Gas 

86 

DEG 

R. 

H 

B 

A 

E 

1 

Curb 

TH 

N 

89 DEG 08 

bo 

132) 

Street Lights 

ARING 

S 11 DEG 

12' 

57" 

E 112.42 

FT FR 

standard utilities 

392737 Er'wih vo pon. 

014 AML, 

le lino bl 

A 

B. 

. 

A 

5 

SHOREFRONTAGE= 

12 FT W/L. 

She 

Level 

Rolling 

Comments /Influences 

Low 

High 

Landscaped 

Swamp 

wooded 

pond 

waterfront 

Ravine 

oc 

Year 

Land 

Building 

Assessed 

value 

value 

value 

who 

when 

what 

2026 

72,500 

0 

72,500 

2025 

44,800 

0 

44,800 

2024 

44,800 

0 

44,800 

2023 

44,800 

0 

44,800

Page 5

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ye 

016.153:039:00; 

- 

A 

4 

> 

3 

A 

» 

0167153103940 

“] 

k 

I 

her 

& 

# 

§ 

1016:153:039:30) 

$ 

a:

Page 6

Whitefish Waterfront Land Values 

Rounded down 

for 2026 

Residential 

Median Ftg 

Median Depth] 

Median Land Value 

Median per FF 

Superior/ Bay Ftg 

~ 100] 

I 

129,900 

1,370.00 |¥ 

River Frontage 

lL 

198 

- 

43,750 | 

31000 

Interior Lake Ftg 

150 

- 

65,000 

650.00 

** median frontage for data entry is based on the entire database frontages not just sales. 

The median is a resistant statistic because it is calculated based on th e middle value of an ordered dataset, making it less affecte

or outliers compared to the mean.

Page 7

may not drop older sales on large acreage with waterfront- very few sales 

Whitefish Sale study dates for 2026 (04-01-2023 to 03-31-2025) 

LAND TIME ADJUSTMENT = 

2026 

SALE STUDY for 2026 

Tax year 

Average Inflatio

% 

BUNGMg 

parcel # 

Ng 

Street Name- Location 

Effec. 

Average 

Acreage 

SALE 

SALE 

Month 

SALEAMNT 

land i or of Land Residual 

“21d Residual 

FRONTAGE 

DEPTH 

YEAR 

MONTH 

for time adj 

and improvents 

Adjusted 

Waterfrontage Whitefish bay/ Lake Superior Frontage 

VACANT FRONTAGE SOLD AND SALE LISTING VALUES 

016-066-023-20 

Whitefish 

116.00 

0.00 

000 

2023 

9.00 

21 

$224,900 

0 

224,900 

224,900

016-626-024-00 

Whitefish 

116.00 

0.00 

000 

2023 

5.00 

17 

$160,000 

0 

160,000 

160,00

016-650-008-00 

Whitefish 

70.00 

0.00 

000 

2023 

6.00 

18 

$120,000 

0 

120,000 

120,000

016-681-012-00 

Whitefish 

100.00 

0.00 

000 

2024 

9.00 

9 

$110,000 

0 

110,000 

110,000

016-720-016-00 

Whitefish 

102.00 

0.00 

000 

2023 

11.00 

23 

$109,900 

0 

109,900 

109,900

001-310-008-00 

Bay Mills 

94.99 

0.00 

000 

2024 

11.00 

1 

$130,900 

0 

130,900 

130,900

016-760-028-00 

Whitefish 

102.50 

0.00 

000 

2024 

11.00 

11 

$129,900 

0 

129,900 

129,900

median value 

102.00 

0.00 

0.00 

129,900

Page 8

STATE OF MICHIGAN 

GRETCHEN WHITMER 

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS 

MARLON I. BROWN, DPA 

GOVERNOR 

LANSING 

DIRECTOR 

Laura Walton Groat,Parke Groat, 

Petitioner, 

MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL 

SMALL CLAIMS DIVISION 

v 

MTT Docket No. 26-000990 

Township Of Whitefish, 

Respondent. 

NOTICE OF DOCKET NUMBER 

TAKE NOTICE that a Small Claims petition has been filed and the above-noted docket 

number has been assigned to that petition. The assignment of the docket number does 

not mean that the Tribunal has authority over the petition or that the petition complies 

with the Tribunal’s rules. The docket number needs to be included on all documents 

submitted in this case. 

Respondent shall file an answer to the petition within 28 days of the issuance of a 

copy of this Notice to Respondent. Tribunal answer forms are available on our 

website at www.michigan.govi/taxtrib. Respondents must utilize the appropriate answer 

form. Failure to file the answer within the 28-day time frame may result in the 

placement of Respondent in default, as provided by TTR 281. Further, an electronic 

copy of the petition can be reviewed by utilizing the Docket Lookup Search on the 

Tribunal’s website. 

By: 

__ Tribunal Clerk 

Entered: May 14, 2026 

PROOF OF SERVICE 

| certify that a copy of the foregoing was sent on the entry date indicated above to the 

parties or their attorneys or authorized representatives, 

if any, utilizing either the mailing 

or email addresses on file, as provided by those parties, attorneys, or authorized 

representatives. 

By: Tribunal Clerk 

MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL 

- 611 W. OTTAWA ST., LANSING, MI 48933 

- 517-335-9760 

PO BOX 30232, LANSING, MI 48909 

- Other Carriers: 2407 N. GRAND RIVER AVE., LANSING, MI 48906

Page 9

Michigan Department 

of Trea: 

618 (Rev. 11-12) 

gid 

Petition to Board of Review 

L-4035 

This form is issued under the authority of P.A. 206 of 1893, as amended. Filing is voluntary, however you may not appeal to the Michigan Tax Tribunal 

or the State Tax Commission unless you first protest fo the Board of Review. 

TO BE COMPLET! ED BY OWNER OR OWNER'S AGENT 

Owner ACHE oF TF moza 

Gea 'n 

Petitioner's Name (if Other than Owner. Please Print or Type) 

TY 

wii TE Arsh 

“Odi PPEWA 

The undersigned protests the assessed value and/or the tentative taxable value andlor the property classification and/or the qualified 

agricultural property exemption 

of the following described property: 

Property identified (Parcel code required. Property address & legal description optional) 

1-616-153-3920 

Protested Item 

assessed Value 

 [ ] Tentative Taxable Value 

| 

| Classification 

[] Qualified Agricultural 

Property Exemption 

1. PROTEST OF ASSESSMENT 

(Complete this section fora protest of assessed value and/or tentative taxable value) 

Own 

YE of True NE 2:7 

Tentative Taxable Value 

E2500 = 

GR 0 FIK 

2026 

2. PROTEST OF CLASSIFICATION 

(Complete this section fora request to change the classification. The Board of Review must make their decision regarding classification in 

accordance 

with Section 211.34c 

of the Michigan Compiled Laws. The Board of Review shall not be influenced by the effect that a particular 

classification has on that property's status as a homeowner's principal residence or qualified agricultural property.) 

Classification of property an this year's assessment roll 

Classification should be (check ane of the following): 

O Agricultural 

IH Industrial 

[ll Timber Cutover 

| Utility (Personal Property Only) 

] Commercial 

O Residential 

a Developmentat 

3. PROTEST OF EXEMPTION FOR QUALIFIED AGRICULTURAL PROPERTY 

(If the assessor has denied or changed the percentage of the exemption from the 18 mills of local school aperating tax for qualified agricultural 

property, the owner may appeal this action to the March Board of Review. THE BOARD OF REVIEW HAS NO AUTHORITY TO CONSIDER OR ACT 

UPON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE 18 SCHOOL OPERATING MILLS FOR HOMEOWNER'S PRINGIPAL RESIDENCE PROPERTIES.) 

Percent qualified agricultural exempion granted by assessor (Enter 0 if exemption 

Percent qualified agricultural exemption requested by awner (Enter 100 if full 

denied) 

exemption requested) 

4. REASON FOR PROTEST 

State reason(s) 

for protest of assessed value andlor the tentative taxable value and/or classification err qualified agricultural property exemption 

Assessed Pe us 2028 was44300T Forse) 2026 Aes YAW (1s 

PU12506F whos 15 A 1.50 AICREASE, wHdT 1S HE CHAISE smth) 

IVER EASE, 

CERTIFICATION 

mit Ast 

> 

3/5/2¢ 

“Fo. Box 234 5ican M23 Pavol; Go,- 492 - 3393

Page 10

.. 

Retail 

U.S. POSTA

0. Box 234 

nN 

po. 

FCM LETTE

Mu. 

PARADISE, 

be 

= ll 

4163 ~ 

48909 

$1 07 

RDC 99 

$2324P50

McHigad Tax TRIBuraL 

Fo. Bex 302.372 

Lansing, Mu, 48909 

Received 

APR 16 

2026 

LARA 

I 

ey 

rm a 

meso

Page 11

PE 

THIS IS NOT A TAX BILL 

L-4400 

1019 (Rev. 10-25) 

Notice of Assessment, Taxable Valuation, and Property Classification 

This form Is issued under the authority of Public Act 208 of 1893, Sec. 211,24¢ and Sec.211.34c, 

as amended. This 

is a model 

nt notice to be used by the local assessor. 

FROM 

PARCEL IDENTIFICATION 

pe Lite 

PARCEL NUMBER: 

016-153-039-30 

: 

PROPERTY ADDRESS: 

17165 

S DEER RUN RD 

5240 

N M123 

KINROSS, M! 49752 

0 

Paradise, Mi 49768 

SCHOOL DISTRICT coDE: 

17160 

OWNER'S NAME AND ADDRESS/PERSON NAMED ON ASSESSMENT Rot 

EXEMPTIONS 

*#++ase2eAUTOSS-DIGIT 49719 

T2 

PL 

Hfi# 

% Exempt 

As "Homeowners Principal Residence” 

100.0000% 

BE G 

& LAURA S WALTON GROAT 

% Exempt 

As "Qualified Agricultural Property”: 

0% 

PARADISE, MI 49768-0234 

% Exempt 

As "MBT Industria! Personal": 

0% 

OCI UT UU UU 

OTR 

LOT LL CRT (LET 

pre 

% Exempt 

As "MBT Commercial Personal" 

0% 

uy 

a] so ned Veteran or 

[Yes 

No 

Exempt 

As "Qualified Forest Property” 

[] Yes 

[X] No 

Exempt As "Development Property” ~~ [] Yes ® No 

J-LEGAL DESCRIPTION: 

- 

 .-. 

.. 

= 

Sos 

cen 

A 

961/410 83 ADD 425/214 87 SPL 623/719 517/640 220G 564/331 646/332 686/612 

SEC aTaEn R6W PART OF GOVT LOTS 3&4 

COMAT S 1/4 COR SD SEC TH S 88 DEG 47" 46" E ALG S LINE SD SEC 1421.03 FT TO PT ON CONSTRUCTION C/LM-123 THN 8 

ACCORDING TO MCL 211.34c THIS PROPERTY IS CLASSIFIED AS: 

402 

Residential 

PRIOR YEAR'S CLASSIFICATION 

402 

Residential 

The change In taxable value will increase/decrease 

CHANGE FROM 

your tax bill for the 2028 year by approximately: 

$32 

FRR aod 

AMOUNT YEAR: 

FRIOR NEAR TY 

1. TAXABLE VALUE: 

44,800 

46,009 

1,209 

2. ASSESSED VALUE: 

800 

72,500 

3. TENTATIVE EQUALIZATION FACTOR: 

1.000 

i 

Ee 

SE 

4. STATE EQUALIZED VALUE (SEV): 

44,800 

72,500 

27,700 

5. WAS THERE A TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP IN 2025 THAT RESULTED IN A TAXABLE VALUE UNCAPPING? 

[Yes 

[XI No 

6. Assessor Change Reason(s): 

_ 

The 2026 Inflation rate Multiplier is: 1.027 ___. 

___ 

= 

Questions regarding the Notice of Assessment, Taxable Valuation, and Property Classification may be directed to the Following: 

Name: 

Telephone Number: 

Email Address: 

TINA FULLER 

(906) 360-9055 

WHITEFISHTWPASSESSOR@GMAIL.COM 

March Board of Review Appeal Information. The Board of Review will meet at the following dates and times: 

2026 WHITEFISH TOWNSHIP BOARD OF REVIEW WILL MEET 

AT THE WHITEFISH TWP HALL 

AT 7052 

M 123, PARADISE Mi 

49768 

MARCH 9- 

10:00AM TO 4:00PM 

MARCH 13- 3:00PM TO 9:00PM 

| 

MAILED IN PETITIONS TO THE BOARD OF REVIEW, FORM L4035, WILL BE ACCEPTED IF RECEIVED BEFORE MARCH 12, 2026

Page 12

03/24/2026 

03:30 

PM 

2026 BOARD OF REVIEW DECISION 

FROM 

WHITEFISH TOWNSHIP 

ASSESSOR TINA M FULLER 

17165 S DEER RUN RD 

KINROSS, MI 49752 

NAME AND ADDRESS OF OWNER OR PERSON NAMED ON ASSESSMENT ROLL: 

| 

PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION: (Parcel Code required. Property address 

and legal description optional): 

GROAT PARKE G 

‘ 

016-153-039-30 

5240 N M123 

WALTON GROAT LAURA § 

. 

PO BOX 234 

SEC 3T48N R6W PART OF GOVT LOTS 3 & 4 COM AT S 1/4 

PARADISE, MI 49768-0234 

COR SD SEC TH S 88 DEG 47' 46" 

E ALG S LINE SD SEC 

5 

eben) anes SE 

2 

. 

: 

no 

@ 

Go 

1421.03 FTTO PT ON CONSTRUCTION 

C/LM-123 THN 8 

DEG 43' 16" W ALG SD C/L 65.03 FT TH N 5 DEG 54' 12" W 

ALG SD C/L 1167.32 FT TO POB TH CON N5 DEG 54' 12" W 

ALG SD C/L.90.7 FT TH N 86 DEG 29' 01" B 260.29 FTTO PT" 

THIS PROPERTY IS CLASSIFIED 

402 (RESIDENTIAL-VACANT) 

Thank you for attending this years March Board of Review. The Bodrd has reviewed the information you supplied and the data necessary 

-=- to compute yourassessment and iaxable value, — = a 

TT 

Ea 

Sa 

The Board has completed their review of parcel number 016-153-039-30 

They have made the following determination based on the information you supplied. 

Board of Review Comments 

REASON: ASSESSED VALUE INCREASED 61.8% WHY? 

DISCUSSION: CURRENT ASSESSMENT REFLECTS CURRENT MARKET VALUE OF WATERFRONT. 

MOTION BY ERICKSON TO MAKE NO CHANGE/ DENY 

VOTE ALL AYES 

MOTION CARRIED 

[2026 ORIGINAL ASSESSED VALUE 

72,500 

1 

[2026 "BOARD OF REVIEW" ASSESSED VALUE 

72,500 

| 

(If the above amounts are the same, no revisions have occured) 

[2026 ORIGINAL TAXABLE VALUE 

46,009 

| 

[2026 "BOARD OF REVIEW" TAXABLE VALUE 

46,009 

2026 PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE EXEMPTION/QUALIFIED AG 

100.0000 

| 

-- Please fecl-free to contact the assessorat the address listed-above-or-call-ifyou have-any questions, ~——-— w= 

- 

"Effective March 1, 2013, the Tribunal is no longer able to accept Small Claims letter appeals. Rather, you are required to file a petition to 

initiate a new Small Claims appeal. Petition forms are available on this website." 

http://www.michigan.gov/taxtrib/0,4677,7-187-38254---,00.html

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