24-003934.pdf

Joseph Meystel, Petitioner V Township Of Geneva, Respondent · 24-003934-TT

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STATE OF MICHIGAN

 

GRETCHEN WHITMER 

GOVERNOR 

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS 

LANSING

MARLON I. BROWN, DPA 

DIRECTOR 

 

 

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 

Joseph Meystel, 

MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL 

 

Petitioner, 

SMALL CLAIMS DIVISION 

 

v 

 

MTT Docket No. 24-003934 

 

Geneva Township, 

 

Presiding Judge 

Respondent. 

 

Patricia L. Halm 

 

ORDER OF DISMISSAL 

 

The Tribunal has considered the file in this case and finds that Petitioner was placed in 

default on October 22, 2024, because Petitioner failed to remit the required filing fee.1 

On December 3, 2024, the Tribunal extended the time for Petitioner to cure the default 

by an additional 14 days and they have failed to pay the required $125.00 petition filing 

fee. Petitioner has not complied with either order, and the latter stated that “failure to 

comply with this Order shall result in the dismissal of the case . . .” and referenced 

Grimm v Dep’t of Treasury.2 In Grimm, the Michigan Court of Appeals summarized 

factors that the Tribunal should consider before imposing the sanction of dismissal. 

Those factors are: 

 

(1) whether the violation was wilful or accidental; (2) the party's history of 

refusing to comply with previous court orders; (3) the prejudice to the 

opposing party; (4) whether there exists a history of deliberate delay; (5) 

the degree of compliance with other parts of the court's orders; (6) 

attempts to cure the defect; and (7) whether a lesser sanction would better 

serve the interests of justice.3 

 

Here, Petitioner’s failure to comply with multiple orders has established a history of 

deliberate delay. As a result, giving careful consideration to the factors involved and 

considering all options in determining what sanction is just and proper, the Tribunal 

finds that dismissal is appropriate, and a lesser sanction would not be appropriate in 

light of Petitioner’s history of noncompliance in this case. 

 

 

1 On November 7, 2024, Petitioner filed a letter in response to the October 22, 2024 Order of Default. 

However, although Petitioner responded to the Order of Default, the attempt to cure was deemed 

incomplete because Petitioner failed to pay the petition filing fee. Specifically, the December 3, 2024 

Order Extending Time for Petitioner to Cure Default stated that Petitioner was initially held in default 

because insufficient filing fees were paid for petitions filed on or about July 23, 2024. The order also 

noted as follows: “Petitioner filed separate appeals rather than a single petition and contiguous parcel 

forms. More importantly, the lack of common ownership of the parcels in the Petitions filed on July 23, 

2024 disallows use of the contiguous parcel rule for a lower petition filing fee under TTR 267(3)(a).” 

2 Grimm v Dep’t of Treasury, 291 Mich App 140 (2010). 

3 Id. at 149.

MTT Docket No. 24-003934 

Page 2 of 2 

 

Therefore, 

 

IT IS ORDERED that this case is DISMISSED. 

 

This Order resolves all pending claims in this matter and closes this case. 

 

APPEAL RIGHTS 

If you disagree with the final decision in this case, you may file a motion for 

reconsideration with the Tribunal or a claim of appeal with the Michigan Court of 

Appeals. 

 

A motion for reconsideration must be filed with the Tribunal with the required filing fee 

within 21 days from the date of entry of the final decision. Because the final decision 

closes the case, the motion cannot be filed through the Tribunal’s web-based e-filing 

system; it must be filed by mail or personal service. The fee for the filing of such 

motions is $50.00 in the Entire Tribunal and $25.00 in the Small Claims Division, unless 

the Small Claims decision relates to the valuation of property and the property had a 

principal residence exemption of at least 50% at the time the petition was filed or the 

decision relates to the grant or denial of a poverty or disabled veterans exemption and, 

if so, there is no filing fee. You are required to serve a copy of the motion on the 

opposing party by mail or personal service or by email if the opposing party agrees to 

electronic service, and proof demonstrating that service must be submitted with the 

motion. Responses to motions for reconsideration are prohibited and there are no oral 

arguments unless otherwise ordered by the Tribunal. 

 

Alternatively, you may file a claim of appeal with the Michigan Court of Appeals. If the 

claim is filed within 21 days of the entry of the final decision, it is an “appeal of right.” If 

the claim is filed more than 21 days after the entry of the final decision, it is an “appeal 

by leave.” A copy of the claim of appeal must be filed with the Tribunal to certify the 

record on appeal. There is no certification fee. 

 

 

 

Entered: January 6, 2025 

 

 

By _____________________________ 

smm/jcr 

 

PROOF OF SERVICE 

 

I 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

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