Romulus Development LLC, Petitioner Vs. City Of Sterling Heights, Respondent
- Petitioner
- Romulus Development LLC
- Respondent
- City Of Sterling Heights
Case overview
- Docket number
- 24-004182-TT
- Status
- Disposed
- CaseType
- ET Property
- Division
- ET
- County
- Macomb
- Judge
- Wease, Joshua
Docket history
| Line # | Subject | Filer | Line Ref | Enter Date/Post Mark | Fee | Related Item |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Consent Judgment | Not recorded | Not recorded | 04/03/2025 | Not recorded | Download |
| 12 | Granted | PET | 11 | 04/03/2025 | Not recorded | Download |
| 11 | Amended Stipulation | PET | Not recorded | 03/31/2025 | $0.00 | Download |
| 10 | Order Denying Motion | Not recorded | Not recorded | 03/28/2025 | Not recorded | Download |
| 9 | A Stipulation has been received. | PET | Not recorded | 03/24/2025 | $50.00 | Download |
| 8 | Prehearing General Call | Not recorded | Not recorded | 02/18/2025 | Not recorded | Download |
| 7 | Answer was received | Not recorded | Not recorded | 01/16/2025 | Not recorded | Download |
| 6 | ET Case Info Sheet | Not recorded | Not recorded | 01/16/2025 | Not recorded | Download |
| 5 | Proof of service of petition was received. | PET | Not recorded | 12/26/2024 | Not recorded | Download |
| 4 | Petition has been verified | PET | 2 | 12/26/2024 | Not recorded | Download |
| 3 | Notice of Docket Number ET | Not recorded | Not recorded | 12/26/2024 | Not recorded | Download |
| 2 | A petition was received. | PET | Not recorded | 12/18/2024 | Not recorded | Download |
| 1 | ET Case Info Sheet | Not recorded | Not recorded | 12/18/2024 | $600.00 | Download |
Documents
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Page 1
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 Romulus Development LLC, MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL Petitioner, v MTT Docket No. 24-004182 City of Sterling Heights, Presiding Judge Respondent. Joshua M. Wease ORDER GRANTING JOINT STIPULATION FOR ENTRY OF CONSENT JUDGMENT CONSENT JUDGMENT The Tribunal has reviewed the Stipulation and finds that it comports with the mandates of State law.1 As a result, the Tribunal shall enter the parties’ Stipulation. Therefore, IT IS ORDERED that the Joint Stipulation for Entry of Consent Judgment including all attachments, terms and conditions is GRANTED and ADOPTED, unless otherwise indicated. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the officer charged with maintaining the assessment rolls for the tax years at issue shall correct or cause the assessment rolls to be corrected to reflect the property’s true cash and taxable values as provided in this Consent Judgment within 20 days of the entry of the Consent Judgment.2 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the officer charged with collecting or refunding the affected taxes shall collect taxes and any applicable interest or issue a refund as required by the Consent Judgment within 28 days of the entry of the Consent Judgment. If a refund is warranted, it shall, unless otherwise indicated, include a proportionate share of any property tax administration fees paid and of penalty and interest paid on delinquent taxes. The refund shall also, unless otherwise indicated, separately indicate the amount of the taxes, fees, penalties, and interest being refunded. A sum determined by the Tribunal to have been unlawfully paid shall, unless otherwise indicated, bear interest from the date of payment to the date of judgment and the judgment shall bear interest to the date of its payment. A sum determined by the Tribunal to have been underpaid shall not bear interest for any time period prior to 28 days after the issuance of this Consent Judgment. Pursuant to MCL 205.737, interest shall accrue (i) after December 31, 2013, through June 30, 2016, at the rate of 4.25%, (ii) after June 30, 2016, through December 31, 2016, at the rate of 4.40%, (iii) after December 31, 2016, through June 30, 2017, at the rate of 4.50%, (iv) after June 30, 1 See MCL 211.27a. 2 See MCL 205.755.
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MTT Docket No. 24-004182 Page 2 of 2 2017, through December 31, 2017, at the rate of 4.70%, (v) after December 31, 2017, through June 30, 2018, at the rate of 5.15%, (vi) after June 30, 2018, through December 31, 2018, at the rate of 5.41%, (vii) after December 31, 2018, through June 30, 2019, at the rate of 5.9%, (viii) after June 30, 2019, through December 31, 2019, at the rate of 6.39%, (ix) after December 31, 2019, through June 30, 2020, at the rate of 6.40%, (x) after June 30 2020, through December 31, 2020, at the rate of 5.63%, (xi) after December 31, 2020, through June 30, 2022, at the rate of 4.25%, (xii) after June 30, 2022, through December 31, 2022, at the rate of 4.27%, (xiii) after December 31, 2022, through June 30, 2023, at the rate of 5.65%, (xiv) after June 30, 2023, through December 31, 2023, at the rate of 8.25%, (xv) after December 31, 2023, through June 30, 2024, at the rate of 9.30%, (xvi) after June 30, 2024, through December 31, 2024, at the rate of 9.50%, and (xvii) after December 31, 2024, through June 30, 2025, at the rate of 9.47%. This Consent Judgment resolves all pending claims in this matter and closes this case. See docket look up for a copy of stipulation and for any possible refund paragraph. By _____________________________ Entered: April 3, 2025 jc 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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STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING & REGULATORY AFFAIRS MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL ROMULUS DEVELOPMENT, LLC, Petitioner, vs. CITY OF STERLING HEIGHTS, Respondent. MTT Docket No. 24-004182 _____________________________________________________________________________/ LAURA M. HALLAHAN (P42101) HALLAHAN & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Attorney for Petitioner 1750 S. Telegraph Road, Suite 202 Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302 (248) 731-3089 MARC D. KASZUBSKI (P60333) O’REILLY RANCILIO P.C. Attorney for Respondent 12900 Hall Road, Suite 350 Sterling Heights, MI 48313-1151 (586) 726-1000 _____________________________________________________________________________/ STIPULATION FOR ENTRY OF CONSENT JUDGMENT 1. The case is pending in the __X__ Entire Tribunal ___ Small Claims Division. 2. Property Parcel No: 10-10-26-477-041 3. The property is located at: 13255 15 Mile Road, Sterling Heights, Macomb County, MI 48312. 4. The 2024 values for the property identified above as established by Respondent’s Board of Review are: (TCV=true cash value, AV=assessed value, TV=taxable value) Year Original TCV Original AV Original TV 2024 $4,720,000 $2,360,000 $2,360,000* *The 2024 taxable value is being rolled back to the 2023 taxable value as it was improperly uncapped in 2024. 5. The 2024 values for the property identified above as stipulated by the parties for settlement purposes are:
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MTT Docket No. 24-004182 Stipulation for Entry of Consent Judgment, Page 2 of 2 (TCV=true cash value, SEV=state equalized value, TV=taxable value) Year Revised TCV Revised SEV Revised TV 2024 $4,720,000 $2,360,000 $1,110,822 6. If stipulation addresses tax years other than the tax year originally appealed or tax years added through motions to amend that have been granted by the Tribunal, list the separate facts upon which the parties rely to invoke the Tribunal’s authority over those tax year or years (attach additional page if necessary): ____________________________________________________ 7. List separately any special terms or conditions being proposed by the parties that would affect the execution of this Consent Judgment including, but not limited to, the joint payment of the refund, the waiver of interest, etc. (attach additional page if necessary): The parties agree that the stipulation regarding the subject property’s assessed and taxable values is strictly for settlement purposes only, and only for the years involved, and for no other purpose whatsoever. Refunds shall be made payable to Petitioner and Petitioner’s counsel Hallahan & Associates, P.C. and sent in care of Petitioner’s counsel Hallahan & Associates, P.C., to: 1750 Telegraph Road, Suite 202, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48302-2082. Petitioner hereby waives interest attributable to the reduction for all taxing authorities. Signature of Petitioner’s Authorized Representative or, if none, Petitioner: //s// Laura M. Hallahan Laura M. Hallahan Signature of Respondent’s authorized representative: //s// Marc D. Kaszubski Marc D. Kaszubski
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STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING & REGULATORY AFFAIRS MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL ROMULUS DEVELOPMENT, LLC, Petitioner, vs. CITY OF STERLING HEIGHTS, Respondent. MTT Docket No. 24-004182 _____________________________________________________________________________/ LAURA M. HALLAHAN (P42101) HALLAHAN & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Attorney for Petitioner 1750 S. Telegraph Road, Suite 202 Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302 (248) 731-3089 MARC D. KASZUBSKI (P60333) O’REILLY RANCILIO P.C. Attorney for Respondent 12900 Hall Road, Suite 350 Sterling Heights, MI 48313-1151 (586) 726-1000 _____________________________________________________________________________/ STIPULATION FOR ENTRY OF CONSENT JUDGMENT 1. The case is pending in the __X__ Entire Tribunal ___ Small Claims Division. 2. Property Parcel No: 10-10-26-477-041 3. The property is located at: 13255 15 Mile Road, Sterling Heights, Macomb County, MI 48312. 4. The 2024 values for the property identified above as established by Respondent’s Board of Review are: (TCV=true cash value, AV=assessed value, TV=taxable value) Year Original TCV Original AV Original TV 2024 $4,720,000 $2,360,000 $2,360,000* *The 2024 taxable value is being rolled back to the 2023 taxable value as it was improperly uncapped in 2024. 5. The 2024 values for the property identified above as stipulated by the parties for settlement purposes are:
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MTT Docket No. 24-004182 Stipulation for Entry of Consent Judgment, Page 2 of 2 (TCV=true cash value, SEV=state equalized value, TV=taxable value) Year Revised TCV Revised SEV Revised TV 2024 $4,720,000 $2,360,000 $1,110,822 6. If stipulation addresses tax years other than the tax year originally appealed or tax years added through motions to amend that have been granted by the Tribunal, list the separate facts upon which the parties rely to invoke the Tribunal’s authority over those tax year or years (attach additional page if necessary): ____________________________________________________ 7. List separately any special terms or conditions being proposed by the parties that would affect the execution of this Consent Judgment including, but not limited to, the joint payment of the refund, the waiver of interest, etc. (attach additional page if necessary): The parties agree that the stipulation regarding the subject property’s assessed and taxable values is strictly for settlement purposes only, and only for the years involved, and for no other purpose whatsoever. Refunds shall be made payable to Petitioner and Petitioner’s counsel Hallahan & Associates, P.C. and sent in care of Petitioner’s counsel Hallahan & Associates, P.C., to: 1750 Telegraph Road, Suite 202, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48302-2082. Petitioner hereby waives interest attributable to the reduction for all taxing authorities. Signature of Petitioner’s Authorized Representative or, if none, Petitioner: //s// Laura M. Hallahan Laura M. Hallahan Signature of Respondent’s authorized representative: //s// Marc D. Kaszubski Marc D. Kaszubski
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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 Romulus Development LLC, Petitioner, MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL ENTIRE TRIBUNAL v MTT Docket No. 24-004182 City Of Sterling Heights, Respondent. ORDER DENYING JOINT STIPULATION FOR ENTRY OF CONSENT JUDGMENT The Tribunal has reviewed the case file and the stipulation, filed on March 24, 2025, and finds that the parties have stipulated to a taxable value(s) which does not appear to be in compliance with MCL 211.27a and the parties have failed to provide any justification for the proposed value(s). Specifically, the stipulated taxable value decreased below the state equalized value without legal justification. Therefore, IT IS ORDERED that the Parties’ Joint Stipulation for Entry of Consent Judgment is DENIED. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this case shall remain on the previously-scheduled Prehearing General Call and a Prehearing Conference will be scheduled accordingly. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that because this Stipulation for Entry of Consent Judgment is no longer pending before the Tribunal, a new stipulation is required for any future settlement. However, if the new stipulation is filed within 14 days of the issuance of this Order, no additional filing fee is required. By _____________________________ Joshua M. Wease, Tribunal Member Entered: March 28, 2025 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 provide by those parties, attorneys, or authorized representatives.
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MTT Docket No. 24-004182 Page 2 of 6 By: Tribunal Clerk
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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 Romulus Development LLC, Petitioner, MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL ENTIRE TRIBUNAL v MTT Docket No. 24-004182 City Of Sterling Heights, Respondent. ORDER DENYING JOINT STIPULATION FOR ENTRY OF CONSENT JUDGMENT The Tribunal has reviewed the case file and the stipulation, filed on March 24, 2025, and finds that the parties have stipulated to a taxable value(s) which does not appear to be in compliance with MCL 211.27a and the parties have failed to provide any justification for the proposed value(s). Specifically, the stipulated taxable value decreased below the state equalized value without legal justification. Therefore, IT IS ORDERED that the Parties’ Joint Stipulation for Entry of Consent Judgment is DENIED. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this case shall remain on the previously-scheduled Prehearing General Call and a Prehearing Conference will be scheduled accordingly. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that because this Stipulation for Entry of Consent Judgment is no longer pending before the Tribunal, a new stipulation is required for any future settlement. However, if the new stipulation is filed within 14 days of the issuance of this Order, no additional filing fee is required. By _____________________________ Joshua M. Wease, Tribunal Member Entered: March 28, 2025 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 provide by those parties, attorneys, or authorized representatives.
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MTT Docket No. 24-004182 Page 4 of 6 By: Tribunal Clerk
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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 Romulus Development LLC, Petitioner, MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL ENTIRE TRIBUNAL v MTT Docket No. 24-004182 City Of Sterling Heights, Respondent. ORDER DENYING JOINT STIPULATION FOR ENTRY OF CONSENT JUDGMENT The Tribunal has reviewed the case file and the stipulation, filed on March 24, 2025, and finds that the parties have stipulated to a taxable value(s) which does not appear to be in compliance with MCL 211.27a and the parties have
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MTT
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STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING & REGULATORY AFFAIRS MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL ROMULUS DEVELOPMENT, LLC, Petitioner, vs. CITY OF STERLING HEIGHTS, Respondent. MTT Docket No. 24-004182 _____________________________________________________________________________/ LAURA M. HALLAHAN (P42101) HALLAHAN & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Attorney for Petitioner 1750 S. Telegraph Road, Suite 202 Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302 (248) 731-3089 MARC D. KASZUBSKI (P60333) O’REILLY RANCILIO P.C. Attorney for Respondent 12900 Hall Road, Suite 350 Sterling Heights, MI 48313-1151 (586) 726-1000 _____________________________________________________________________________/ STIPULATION FOR ENTRY OF CONSENT JUDGMENT 1. The case is pending in the __X__ Entire Tribunal ___ Small Claims Division. 2. Property Parcel No: 10-10-26-477-041 3. The property is located at: 13255 15 Mile Road, Sterling Heights, Macomb County, MI 48312. 4. The 2024 values for the property identified above as established by Respondent’s Board of Review are: (TCV=true cash value, AV=assessed value, TV=taxable value) Year Original TCV Original AV Original TV 2024 $4,720,000 $2,360,000 $2,360,000 5. The 2024 values for the property identified above as stipulated by the parties for settlement purposes are: (TCV=true cash value, SEV=state equalized value, TV=taxable value) Year Revised TCV Revised SEV Revised TV 2024 $4,720,000 $2,360,000 $1,110,822
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MTT Docket No. 24-004182 Stipulation for Entry of Consent Judgment, Page 2 of 2 6. If stipulation addresses tax years other than the tax year originally appealed or tax years added through motions to amend that have been granted by the Tribunal, list the separate facts upon which the parties rely to invoke the Tribunal’s authority over those tax year or years (attach additional page if necessary): ____________________________________________________ 7. List separately any special terms or conditions being proposed by the parties that would affect the execution of this Consent Judgment including, but not limited to, the joint payment of the refund, the waiver of interest, etc. (attach additional page if necessary): The parties agree that the stipulation regarding the subject property’s assessed and taxable values is strictly for settlement purposes only, and only for the years involved, and for no other purpose whatsoever. Refunds shall be made payable to Petitioner and Petitioner’s counsel Hallahan & Associates, P.C. and sent in care of Petitioner’s counsel Hallahan & Associates, P.C., to: 1750 Telegraph Road, Suite 202, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48302-2082. Petitioner hereby waives interest attributable to the reduction for all taxing authorities. Signature of Petitioner’s Authorized Representative or, if none, Petitioner: //s// Laura M. Hallahan Laura M. Hallahan Signature of Respondent’s authorized representative: //s// Marc D. Kaszubski Marc D. Kaszubski
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STATE OF MICHIGAN GRETCHEN WHITMER GOVERNOR DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS LANSING MARLON I. BROWN, DPA ACTING 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 NOTICE OF JANUARY 16 - 30, 2026 PREHEARING GENERAL CALL AND ORDER OF PROCEDURE Romulus Development LLC, Petitioner, v City Of Sterling Heights, Respondent. MTT Docket No. 24-004182 Please be advised that 24-004182 has been placed on a two-week Prehearing General Call commencing January 16, 2026. Parties will be notified at least one week before they are scheduled to appear. Parties are required to submit a valuation disclosure or written notification that no valuation disclosure is required by the dates indicated herein. A “valuation disclosure” is defined as documentary or other tangible evidence in a property tax proceeding that a party relies upon in support of the party’s contention as to the true cash value of the subject property or any portion thereof and contains the party’s value conclusion and data, valuation methodology, analysis or reasoning, as provided by TTR 237. In accordance with MCR 1.109(D)(9), as of January 1, 2021, the responsibility for excluding or redacting personal identifying information (PII) from all documents filed with or offered to the Tribunal rests solely with the parties and their attorneys. The Tribunal is not responsible for or required to review, redact, or screen documents at the time of filing for PII whether filed electronically or on paper. Please refer to the Tribunal’s FAQs and Glossary of Terms pages on our website for more information. IT IS ORDERED that the parties shall: a. If no valuation disclosure is required, notify the Tribunal and the opposing parties in writing within 21 days of entry of this Order that no valuation disclosure is being filed. The notice shall indicate the reason or reasons why no valuation disclosure is required (i.e., exemption claim, etc.). b. If a valuation disclosure is required, file and exchange their valuation disclosures by September 19, 2025. Valuation disclosures will not be admitted into evidence unless disclosed and furnished in accordance with this Order (even though admissible) except upon a finding of good cause by the Tribunal.
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MTT Docket No. 24-004182 Page 2 of 2 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the parties shall file and exchange their Prehearing Statements by September 19, 2025. Witnesses will not be allowed to testify unless disclosed in the Prehearing Statement and the Prehearing Statement is furnished in accordance with this Order except upon a finding of good cause by the Tribunal. Failure to file the Prehearing Statement may result in holding a party or parties in default, as provided by TTR 237. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that “Pre-Valuation Disclosure” discovery is CLOSED on September 19, 2025, which means all discovery has been requested, all motions to compel have been filed and resolved, and all requested or ordered discovery has been exchanged by that date. Discovery relative to the valuation disclosure prepared for purposes of litigating this case or the valuation expert that prepared that valuation disclosure is not permitted during “Pre-Valuation Disclosure” discovery. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that “Post-Valuation Disclosure” discovery is CLOSED on January 16, 2026, which means all discovery has been requested, all motions to compel have been filed and resolved, and all requested or ordered discovery has been exchanged by that date. “Post-Valuation Disclosure” discovery is limited to the opposing party’s valuation disclosure, the opposing party’s valuation expert, and the witnesses identified on the opposing party’s Prehearing Statement. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that if this case is not scheduled for a date certain Prehearing Conference during the time frame indicated it may be scheduled for a date certain Prehearing Conference at any time subsequent to the completion date for this Prehearing General Call. Parties will, however, be notified in writing approximately one week before they are scheduled to appear. By:_____________________________________ Patricia L. Halm, Tribunal Chair Entered: February 18, 2025 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 provide by those parties, attorneys, or authorized
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STATE OF
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MTT
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STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING & REGULATORY AFFAIRS MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL ROMULUS DEVELOPMENT, LLC, Petitioner, v Docket No. 24-004182 Parcel No. 10-10-17-476-029 CITY OF STERLING HEIGHTS, Respondent. LAURA M. HALLAHAN (P42101) Hallahan & Associates. P.C. Attorney for Petitioner 1750 S. Telegraph Rd., Ste. 202 Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302-0179 (248) 731-3089 lhallahan@hallahanlaw.com MARC D. KASZUBSKI (P60333) O’Reilly Rancilio P.C. Attorney for Respondent 12900 Hall Road, Suite 350 Sterling Heights, MI 48313-1151 (586) 726-1000 mkaszubski@orlaw.com ANSWER TO PETITION Respondent, CITY OF STERLING HEIGHTS (“Respondent”), submits the following as its Answer to the Petition in this matter: 1. Admit. 2. No response required. 3. Admit. 4. Neither admit nor deny as Respondent is without sufficient information upon which to form a belief as to the truth of the matter asserted. 5. Neither admit nor deny as Respondent is without sufficient information upon which to form a belief as to the truth of the matter asserted.
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2 6. Neither admit nor deny as Respondent is without sufficient information upon which to form a belief as to the truth of the matter asserted. 7. Admit. 8. Admit. 9. Denied as untrue. 10. Denied as untrue. 11. a.-e. Denied as untrue. WHEREFORE, Respondent respectfully requests this Honorable Tribunal dismiss the Petition with prejudice and on the merits and further award Respondent any and all other relief in its favor as is deemed just and appropriate under the circumstances. O’REILLY RANCILIO P.C. By: /s/ Marc D. Kaszubski Marc D. Kaszubski (P60333) Attorney for Respondent Dated: January 16, 2025 RESPONDENT’S AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES NOW COMES, Respondent, CITY OF STERLING HEIGHTS, by and through its attorneys, O’REILLY RANCILIO P.C. and states for its Affirmative Defenses as follows: 1. Petitioner lacks an interest in the property or standing to bring this action. 2. The Petition is improper because of untimely filing and statute of limitations. 3. Lack of jurisdiction. 4. Res Judicata and Collateral Estoppel. 5. Petitioner fails to allege specific and sufficient facts to support a cause of action against Respondent.
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3 6. The Petition is improper because it asks this Tribunal to grant a preference by application of a self-chosen method of assessment contrary to the laws of the State of Michigan. 7. The Petition is improper because its effect would be to shift the burden of the city, school and county taxes to other property owners within the City of Sterling Heights. 8. Petitioner has failed to join any and all claims arising out of the same transaction or occurrence subject to this action. 9. Respondent reserves the right to raise any additional affirmative defenses as they arise during the pendency of this matter. WHEREFORE, Respondent respectfully requests this Honorable Tribunal dismiss the Petition with prejudice and on the merits and further award Respondent any and all other relief in its favor as is deemed just and appropriate under the circumstances. O’REILLY RANCILIO P.C. By: /s/ Marc D. Kaszubski Marc D. Kaszubski (P60333) Attorney for Respondent Dated: January 16, 2025
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4 PROOF OF SERVICE I served Respondent’s Answer to Petition and Affirmative Defenses upon the attorneys of record and/or parties in this case on January 16, 2025. I declare the foregoing statement to be true to the best of my information, knowledge and belief. U.S. Mail Fax Hand Delivered Messenger Express Mail Private Other: /s/ Teresa A. Walsh Teresa A. Walsh
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STATE OF MICHIGAN GRETCHEN WHITMER GOVERNOR DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS LANSING ORLENE HAWKS DIRECTOR Entire Tribunal Case Information Sheet - Respondent MOAHR DOCKET NO. 24-004182 Section 1: Respondent’s Contact Information Filer Type: Local Unit of Government City Of Sterling Heights (MACOMB) Local Unit of Government/First Name M.I. Last Name Home Address (No., Street, P.O. Box or Rural Route) City or Town State Michigan ZIP Code Telephone Number Fax Number E-mail Address (do not enter unless you want MTT to send all correspondence via e-mail) Section 2: Attorney/Authorized Representative’s Contact Information First Name Marc M.I. D Last Name Kaszubski Firm Name (if any) Address (No., Street, P.O. Box or Rural Route) 12900 Hall Rd, Ste 350 City or Town Sterling Heights State Michigan ZIP Code 48313 Telephone Number 586-726-1000 Fax Number E-mail Address (do not enter unless you want MTT to send all correspondence via e-mail) mkaszubski@orlaw.com Electronic Signature *Typing your name below will serve as your signature Respondent or Authorized Attorney/Representative’s Signature: Marc D. Kaszubski /s/
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STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING & REGULATORY AFFAIRS IN THE MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL Romulus Development, LLC, Petitioner, v City of Sterling Heights, Respondent. MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL Docket No. 24-004182 Parcel No. 10-10-26-477-041 _____________________________________________________________________________/ PROOF OF SERVICE (Property Tax Petition) On the date below I sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, a copy of the Petition to: City Assessor City of Sterling Heights 40555 Utica Rd Sterling Heights, MI 48313 City Clerk City of Sterling Heights 40555 Utica Rd Sterling Heights, MI 48313 On the date below I sent by first class mail a copy of the Petition to: Equalization Director Macomb County 1 S. Main, 6th Floor Mount Clemens, MI 48043 County Clerk Macomb County 120 N. Main Mount Clemens, MI 48043 Secretary, Board of Education Utica Community Schools 11303 Greendale Sterling Heights, MI 48312 State Treasurer Department of Treasury 430 W. Allegan Street Lansing, MI 48922 I declare that the statements above are true to the best of my information, knowledge and belief. /s/ Laura M. Hallahan Dated: December 26, 2024
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STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING & REGULATORY AFFAIRS IN THE MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL Romulus Development, LLC, Petitioner, v City of Sterling Heights, Respondent. MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL Docket No. 24-_____________ Parcel No. 10-10-26-477-041 _____________________________________________________________________________/ PROPERTY TAX PETITION (Entire Tribunal, 2024 Tax Year) Petitioner, by and through its attorneys, Hallahan & Associates, P.C., contends: 1. ☒ The property that is the subject of this appeal is one real property parcel: Parcel Number 10-10-26-477-041 Address 13255 15 Mile Road Classification 201 Comm Imp Use Retail County Macomb Sch Dist Warren Consolidated Schools 2. ☒ N/A. If the assessment at issue was protested, the protest was made to Respondent’s: ☐ March, ☐ July, ☐ December Board of Review. 3. Respondent, identified above, assesses and collects taxes on the subject property. 4. Petitioner is a taxpayer/party-in-interest with respect to property taxes on the subject property. 5. The Petitioner’s principal office/legal residence address is: 7486 Lakeport Street, West Bloomfield, MI 48323 6. This appeal involves issues related to: ☒ the subject property’s true cash and taxable values ☐ the subject property’s taxable value only there is a dispute as to the value of an addition or loss: ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ uniformity of the subject property’s assessment ☐ the subject property’s exemption from ad valorem taxation under MCL ______
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Petition 2 ☒ Unlawful uncapping of Petitioner’s property. Respondent unlawfully uncapped the property at the December 2024 Board of Review and this Petition is timely filed within 35 days of that decision. See Board of Review decision attached. 7. The tax year at issue is 2024. 8. The values1 established by Respondent’s Board of Review for the subject property are: Parcel Number TCV SEV TV 10-10-26-477-041 4,720,000 2,360,000 2,360,000 9. Petitioner contends that the values1 for the subject property are: Parcel Number TCV SEV TV 10-10-26-477-041 3,150,000 1,575,000 1,110,822 10. The values1 in dispute are. Parcel Number TCV SEV TV 10-10-26-477-041 1,570,000 785,000 1,249,178 11. Petitioner relies upon the following to support the relief requested: The 2024 values imposed on Petitioner’s property, and the taxes to be levied and collected thereon, are invalid and unlawful and operate as fraud upon the taxpayer for the reasons that: (a) The assessed, state equalized and/or taxable values exceed the amounts permitted by the Michigan Constitution and applicable statutes; (b) The assessed, state equalized and/or taxable values are at higher percentages of true cash value than permissible under the Michigan Constitution and applicable statutes; (c) The assessed, state equalized and/or taxable values are based upon an erroneous determination of the true cash value of that portion of Petitioner’s property that is taxable under Michigan law and are based upon the application of wrong principles; (d) The assessed, state equalized and/or taxable values, and the mode of assessment adopted by Respondent, discriminate against Petitioner and deny Petitioner its constitutional rights of uniformity, equal protection and due process of law; and/or (e) The property transferred ownership on January 5, 2024 and, therefore Respondent unlawfully uncapped the property. 1TCV=true cash value, SEV=state equalized value, TV=taxable value.
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Petition 3 Petitioner requests that the Tribunal enter an order reducing the 2024 values from those established by Respondent’s Board of Review to those contended by Petitioner, and order refunds attributable to the reductions, with interest, as provided by the Tax Tribunal Act. HALLAHAN & ASSOCIATES, P.C. /s/ Laura M. Hallahan Laura M. Hallahan (P42101) Attorney for Petitioner 1750 S. Telegraph Road, Suite 202 Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302-0179 (248) 731-3089 Dated: December 18, 2024 lhallahan@hallahanlaw.com, (248) 731-3090 Filing Fee: $600
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2024 DECEMBER BOARD OF REVIEW Change Notice 12/13/2024 ROMULUS DEVELOPMENT LLC 7486 LAKEPORT ST WEST BLOOMFIELD MI 48323 Regarding Address: 13255 15 MILE RD Parcel Number: 10-10-26-477-041 Dear Property Owner: On Dec 09, 2024 , the December Board of Review made the following correction to the assessed value, capped value, taxable value and/or to the Principal Residence Exemption for the above referenced parcel. Original Corrected Year Assessed Capped Taxable Year
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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 Romulus Development LLC, Petitioner, MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL v MTT Docket No.: 24-004182 City Of Sterling Heights, Respondent. NOTICE OF DOCKET NUMBER TAKE NOTICE that an Entire Tribunal petition has been filed and the above-noted docket number has been assigned to that petition. This docket number shall be noted on the petition and the petition shall be served within 45 days of the issuance of this Notice, as required by TTR 221 and MCL 205.735a, even if the petition was served when filed. A proof of service shall also be filed with the Tribunal within 45 days of the issuance of this Notice evidencing the service of the petition. If you submitted a proof of service with the petition, you must still serve the petition and file a second proof of service including the docket number, pursuant to this Notice. Failure to serve the petition and file a proof of service within 45 days of the issuance of the Notice may result in the dismissal of this case. Under TTR 229(1), “[t]he respondent shall file an answer or responsive motion within 28 days after the date of service of the petition with noted docket number.” Failure to do so will result in Respondent being placed in default. The docket number also needs to be noted on all other documents submitted in this case. Further, the assignment of the docket number does not mean that the Tribunal has authority over the petition or that the petition complies with statutory requirements or the Tribunal’s rules. By: __Tribunal Clerk________ Entered: December 26, 2024 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 provide by those parties, attorneys, or authorized representatives. By: Tribunal Clerk
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STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING & REGULATORY AFFAIRS IN THE MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL Romulus Development, LLC, Petitioner, v City of Sterling Heights, Respondent. MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL Docket No. 24-_____________ Parcel No. 10-10-26-477-041 _____________________________________________________________________________/ PROPERTY TAX PETITION (Entire Tribunal, 2024 Tax Year) Petitioner, by and through its attorneys, Hallahan & Associates, P.C., contends: 1. ☒ The property that is the subject of this appeal is one real property parcel: Parcel Number 10-10-26-477-041 Address 13255 15 Mile Road Classification 201 Comm Imp Use Retail County Macomb Sch Dist Warren Consolidated Schools 2. ☒ N/A. If the assessment at issue was protested, the protest was made to Respondent’s: ☐ March, ☐ July, ☐ December Board of Review. 3. Respondent, identified above, assesses and collects taxes on the subject property. 4. Petitioner is a taxpayer/party-in-interest with respect to property taxes on the subject property. 5. The Petitioner’s principal office/legal residence address is: 7486 Lakeport Street, West Bloomfield, MI 48323 6. This appeal involves issues related to: ☒ the subject property’s true cash and taxable values ☐ the subject property’s taxable value only there is a dispute as to the value of an addition or loss: ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ uniformity of the subject property’s assessment ☐ the subject property’s exemption from ad valorem taxation under MCL ______
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Petition 2 ☒ Unlawful uncapping of Petitioner’s property. Respondent unlawfully uncapped the property at the December 2024 Board of Review and this Petition is timely filed within 35 days of that decision. See Board of Review decision attached. 7. The tax year at issue is 2024. 8. The values1 established by Respondent’s Board of Review for the subject property are: Parcel Number TCV SEV TV 10-10-26-477-041 4,720,000 2,360,000 2,360,000 9. Petitioner contends that the values1 for the subject property are: Parcel Number TCV SEV TV 10-10-26-477-041 3,150,000 1,575,000 1,110,822 10. The values1 in dispute are. Parcel Number TCV SEV TV 10-10-26-477-041 1,570,000 785,000 1,249,178 11. Petitioner relies upon the following to support the relief requested: The 2024 values imposed on Petitioner’s property, and the taxes to be levied and collected thereon, are invalid and unlawful and operate as fraud upon the taxpayer for the reasons that: (a) The assessed, state equalized and/or taxable values exceed the amounts permitted by the Michigan Constitution and applicable statutes; (b) The assessed, state equalized and/or taxable values are at higher percentages of true cash value than permissible under the Michigan Constitution and applicable statutes; (c) The assessed, state equalized and/or taxable values are based upon an erroneous determination of the true cash value of that portion of Petitioner’s property that is taxable under Michigan law and are based upon the application of wrong principles; (d) The assessed, state equalized and/or taxable values, and the mode of assessment adopted by Respondent, discriminate against Petitioner and deny Petitioner its constitutional rights of uniformity, equal protection and due process of law; and/or (e) The property transferred ownership on January 5, 2024 and, therefore Respondent unlawfully uncapped the property. 1TCV=true cash value, SEV=state equalized value, TV=taxable value.
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Petition 3 Petitioner requests that the Tribunal enter an order reducing the 2024 values from those established by Respondent’s Board of Review to those contended by Petitioner, and order refunds attributable to the reductions, with interest, as provided by the Tax Tribunal Act. HALLAHAN & ASSOCIATES, P.C. /s/ Laura M. Hallahan Laura M. Hallahan (P42101) Attorney for Petitioner 1750 S. Telegraph Road, Suite 202 Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302-0179 (248) 731-3089 Dated: December 18, 2024 lhallahan@hallahanlaw.com, (248) 731-3090 Filing Fee: $600
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2024 DECEMBER BOARD OF REVIEW Change Notice 12/13/2024 ROMULUS DEVELOPMENT LLC 7486 LAKEPORT ST WEST BLOOMFIELD MI 48323 Regarding Address: 13255 15 MILE RD Parcel Number: 10-10-26-477-041 Dear Property Owner: On Dec 09, 2024 , the December Board of Review made the following correction to the assessed value, capped value, taxable value and/or to the Principal Residence Exemption for the above referenced parcel. Original Corrected Year Assessed Capped Taxable Year
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STATE OF MICHIGAN GRETCHEN WHITMER GOVERNOR DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS LANSING ORLENE HAWKS DIRECTOR Entire Tribunal Case Information Sheet - Petitioner MOAHR DOCKET NO. Section 1: Petitioner’s Contact Information Filer type: Organization First Name/Company Name M.I. Last Name Romulus Development LLC Home Address (No., Street, P.O. Box or Rural Route) 7486 Lakeport Street City or Town West Bloomfield State Michigan ZIP Code 48323 Telephone Number 2487018529 Fax Number 248 731 3090 E-mail Address (do not enter unless you want MTT to send all correspondence via e-mail) lhallahan@hallahanlaw.com Section 2: Attorney/Authorized Representative’s Contact Information First Name Laura M.I. M Last Name Hallahan Firm Name (if any) Address (No., Street, P.O. Box or Rural Route) 1750 S. Telegraph Road, Suite 202 City or Town Bloomfield Hills State Michigan ZIP Code 48302 Telephone Number 248-731-3087 Fax Number E-mail Address (do not enter unless you want MTT to send all correspondence via e-mail) MTT@hallahanlaw.com Section 5: Issue Please designate one: Valuation – Fill out Sections 4, 5, & 6 below Section 6: Subject Property Information How many parcels are you appealing?1 Property Address (No., Street, City, ST, ZIP) [If multiple, list first property’s address] 13255 15 Mile Road Michigan Taxing Authority (City or Township) City Of Sterling Heights (MACOMB) County Macomb If you are appealing more than one parcel, are they contiguous or adjoining? (*If no, you must file separate appeals for each non-contiguous or non-adjoining parcel.)
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STATE OF MICHIGAN GRETCHEN WHITMER GOVERNOR DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS LANSING ORLENE HAWKS DIRECTOR Section 7: Check which of the following you are appealing (check all that apply) True Cash and Taxable Values, Uncapping of Taxable Value Section 8: Valuation Information for Each Parcel under Appeal Parcel Number: 10-10-26-477-041 Classification of Property: Real Commercial Current Assessed Value (also known as State Equalized Value) as established by the Board of Review: 2360000 Current Taxable Value as established by the Board of Review: 2360000 What do you believe is the fair market value (also known as True Cash Value)? 3150000 Multiply the True Cash Value by 50% and enter here. This is your contention of Assessed Value (also known as State Equalized Value). 1575000 If you belive the Taxable Value differs from your contention of Assessed Value, enter your contention of Taxable Value. 1110822 Section 9: Assessment Information Type of Tax Assessment(s): Assessment Number(s): Check all that is being appealed: Check what action prompted this appeal: If “other,” please explain: Section 10: Special Assessment Information Type of Special Assessment: Did you protest the special assessment at the hearing held to confirm the special assessment roll? If Yes, what was the date of the hearing held to confirm the special assessment roll? If No, please explain: Section 11: Classification Information Parcel Number: Current Classification of Property as established by Board of Review: What do you believe is the property’s classification?
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STATE OF MICHIGAN GRETCHEN WHITMER GOVERNOR DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS LANSING ORLENE HAWKS DIRECTOR If improved property, how is the property currently being used? If improved property, for what use was the property designed? Fee Information The filing fee is based on the greater of State Equalized Value or Taxable Value in contention. If you are appealing more than one parcel, the parcel with the highest State Equalized Value or Taxable Value in contention will be used to determine your filing fee, plus $25.00 will be added for each additional parcel being appealed. If the State Equalized Value or Taxable Value in contention is: Your filing fee is: $100,000.00 and under $250.00 $100,000.01 to $500,000.00 $400.00 $Over $500,000.00 $600.00 * Plus $25.00 for each additional parcel, not to exceed a total filing fee of $2,000.00. A fee of $250.00 is required for the filing of a Special Assessment Appeal. A fee of $250.00 is required for the filing of an Equalization Tax Appeal. A fee of $250.00 is required for the filing of a Non-Property Tax Appeal. A fee of $150.00 is required for the filing of a Classification Tax Appeal Electronic Signature *Typing your name below will serve as your signature Petitioner or Attorney/Authorized Representative’s Signature: /s/ Laura M Hallahan
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