Frequently Asked Questions

Drain Commissioner	Senior Services
Friend of the Court	Treasurer

Drain Commissioner

What is a county drain?
A county drain may be an open ditch, stream or underground pipe, retention pond or swale that conveys storm water. These drains become designated a county drains through a petition process. Either property owners or a local municipality can petition the Drain Commissioner to establish a county drain.

When do I call the Drain Commissioner's Office?

Flooding?

The Drain Commissioner and his staff respond to flooding situations involving designated county drains.

Public Information?

Public Act 222 of 2001 states: If you experience an overflow or backup of a storm water system, you must file a written claim with the Calhoun County Drain Commissioner's office within 45 days the overflow or backup was discovered. Notice should be mailed to:

Blaine Van Sickle
Calhoun County Drain Commissioner
315 W. Green Street
Marshall, Michigan 49068

Failure to provide the required notice will prevent recovery of damages. Contact the Calhoun County Drain Commissioner's Office at (269) 781-0790 immediately upon discovery of an overflow or backup.

Maintenance?

If you have any maintenance issues regarding a county drain contact the Drain Commissioner's Office at (269) 781-0790 or by e-mail. You may also contact our Drain Inspector/Coordinator at (269) 781-0791 or by e-mail. Please be sure to indicate exact location of problem, your name and a telephone number at which you can be reached.

Drain Easements?

Easements are granted to the Drain Commissioner along all designated county drains for the purpose of allowing access to operate, maintain or repair the drain. Property owners retain ownership, but are restricted from building permanent structures that may impede drain maintenance within the easement area. This includes, but is not limited to, swimming pools, sheds, garages, patios, decks, fences or any landscaping feature that may interfere with drainage. Drainage swales may not be filled in. Easement width varies from drain to drain depending on the drain size and type. Some are of an unspecified width or sufficient ground on either side of the centerline of the drain.

Easements obtained prior to 1956 were not required by law to be recorded with the County Register of Deeds Office and are considered properly recorded if they are on file in the County Drain Commissioner's Office. Easements obtained after 1956 are required to be recorded at the County Register of Deeds Office and are also on file at the County Drain Commissioner's Office. It is important to check with both offices to determine if a drainage easement exists on your property.

What is a Drain Commissioner?
Many people wonder what is a Drain Commissioner, and what do they do? The Drain Commissioner is elected to office every four years. He/she should not be confused with county commissioners, which are elected every two years, and their job is to run the county government. Also a Drain Commissioner should not be confused with a Road Commissioner, which is appointed by the County Board of Commissioners for a six year term and whose job is to construct and maintain Calhoun County's roads, bridges, and culverts within their right-of-ways.

A Drain Commissioner should be a taxpayer and an organizer; an engineer, a lawyer, a farmer, an excavator, a wetland specialist, a biologist, have a degree in math, psychology, and hydrology. He or she should also be a watershed manager, be able to understand the DEQ and DNR and work with them, must love animals and protect their environment, but at the same time be able to do the job of Drain Commissioner which is to provide drainage to property owners within the drainage district. A Drain Commissioner must be able to get the best work with the least amount of taxpayer's money. They need to be a marriage counselor, a mediator, a good listener, and be able to give the effort to solve all kinds of problems. He/she needs common sense, be understanding of not assessing too much, but willing to assess to get the work done that is needed. The Drain Commissioner must be in good physical health to inspect drains in all types of weather. He/she must be able to communicate with people of all races and economic levels in society, and must be able to work with anybody and take criticism. A good sense of humor helps and he/she must always remember who is paying their salary.

A Drain Commissioner does not clean house drains, although we have been asked to do so. Septic tanks and sewage systems are the responsibility of the Health Department and the landowners.

Friend of the Court

Bench Warrant

Child Support Payments

Children's Health Care Expense Changes

Custody

Interstate Enforcement

Medical

Objections

Parenting Time

Payment and Accounting

Support Modification

Tax Offsets

Senior Services

When was the senior millage passed?
The senior millage was initially approved by Calhoun voters in November 1996 and renewed in 2000 and 2006. The levy approved is up to .75 mills annually.

Why was the senior millage passed?
The senior millage was placed on the ballot by concerned citizens who felt current resources were not supporting this county's seniors appropriately. Before the millage was passed, there were seniors who were unable to get home delivered meals, respite care, or in-home assistance with daily living activities like bathing, cooking, and cleaning. Long wait lists were prominent in Calhoun County for seniors needing these services who were unable to afford them.

Who decides where the money goes?
The Calhoun County Board of Commissioners is responsible for these dollars. To assist them in making these decisions, they have appointed eighteen citizens from Calhoun County who are responsible for recommending funding for programs that best serve the county's seniors. This Committee then monitors the vendors, programs, and their effectiveness in serving the seniors of Calhoun County through the Calhoun County Office of Senior Services whose staff is dedicated to the senior millage.

Are the millage dollars being used in place of other dollars?
No. It is the philosophy of the millage that senior millage is designed to supply funding for the needs of Calhoun County seniors that are not being met by the resources of the individual, the senior's family, volunteers or charitable organizations, or by State or Federal funds. All vendors are under contract to use all other available funds before utilizing millage dollars.

What vendors are involved and what services are provided?
Each year, the County has a competitive Request For Proposal process (RFP) that is open to any vendors who wish to apply for millage dollars for programs serving Calhoun County seniors sixty (60) years of age and older. Click here for a current list of services and providers or call Senior Services at 269-781-0846 or toll free 1 (877) MILLAGE (1-877-645-5243) for a copy of the current brochure which lists all programs, the agencies that provide the programs, and the phone numbers to call.

How are vendors held accountable?
Vendors report monthly to the Office of Senior Services on the number of service units provided along with the geographic locations of the seniors served. The vendors also provide quarterly demographic reports which include the age, income, and ethnicity of the seniors being served in each program. Information is reviewed on a monthly basis by the Office of Senior Services and the Senior Millage Allocation Committee.

Every year, the Office of Senior Services conducts a program and fiscal assessment of the millage vendors. This assessment reviews the costs being charged to the millage and back-up documentation is requested for some of these costs. The actual cost of service is also compared to the reimbursed cost. Vendors are only compensated for actual allowable costs that are specifically related to their millage contracted services. Vendors must provide reasons and corrective action plans for any significant differences in their actual units and costs compared to their budgets. The assessment also samples the clients being served to ensure that only Calhoun County seniors are being provided these services. All assessment findings are reviewed by the Senior Millage Allocation Committee and provided to the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners.

How do I know I am eligible for services?
All programs require seniors to be sixty (60) years of age and older and reside in Calhoun County. Some programs have income eligibility requirements. Other programs require assessments such as case management/in-home services, home delivered meals, and hospice respite care. Guardianship requires a court order. If there is a program you are interested in, you should contact the agency that provides the program. A complete listing of these services can be obtained by calling Senior Services at (269) 781-0846 or toll free at 1-877-645-5243 or by clicking here..

Who do I call if I have more questions or would like additional information?
The Calhoun County Office of Senior Services has staff that specializes in the senior millage. Please contact these professionals at (269) 781-0846 or toll free at 1-877-MILLAGE (1-877-645-5243) to answer any questions you may have regarding the senior millage and the services it offers.

Thank you for your interest in the senior millage
which is dedicated to serving Calhoun County Seniors.

Treasurer

Tax Information

How much do I owe for my delinquent taxes?
In order for any staff to accurately give payoff amounts for your taxes you must first provide us with you property number that is shown on your tax bill or your delinquent tax statement. We do not guarantee payoffs based on property address.

What should I do if I didn’t receive a tax bill?
You should contact your local treasurer to change your address. The County Treasurers mailing address file for delinquent taxes comes from the local city or township. If you know that you have a delinquent tax, you should also contact our office at (269) 781-0807.

I did not receive a tax bill; can you waive penalty and interest?
No! The County Treasurer does not have any authority to waive penalties or interest. State law holds the taxpayer responsible to know that taxes are paid on time (whether or not taxpayer has received a tax bill or notification of delinquent taxes due).

When are taxes due?
Summer taxes are usually due mid August to mid September (tax bills sent early July). Winter taxes are usually due by mid February. All taxes become delinquent to the County Treasurer on March 1^st, with additional penalties and interest. Other costs are added at the time of forfeiture.

Can I make payments on my delinquent taxes?
Yes, as long as the all taxes, interest, penalties, and fees are paid in full for that particular tax by the foreclosure deadline March31st (two years after it has reached our office).

Can I pay with a personal check?
Yes, and they should be made payable to Calhoun County Treasurer. Checks are not accepted fourteen (14) days prior to the final day to redeem a foreclosed parcel.

Can I pay by credit card?
Yes, you may pay taxes by credit card by calling GPS, Inc. toll free/24 hours at 888-604-7888. There is a 5% service fee for this service and will be added to the amount of fees due. The information they will request is your property number, property owner/taxpayer’s name, property address, phone number, your charge card information, and the amount owing/paying. If the amount owed does not match amount paying, payment will NOT be posted unless it is specifically stated that it is a partial payment.

Who owns a particular property?
Please refer to the local unit in which the property is located.

What is the assessed value of my home?
Please contact your local assessor for current information.

Public Act 123

If I don’t pay my taxes, will I lose my property?
Yes. The new law allows taxes to be delinquent for only two years. Once the Judgment of Foreclosure is final, the State of Michigan has clear title to your property.

What does it mean to be in "forfeiture"?
Forfeiture is the first step in the foreclosure process. A property (tax) that has been delinquent for one (1) year is considered forfeited. At this time, the interest rate goes from 1% per month to 1.5% per month back to the date the taxes became delinquent. Currently a $175 title search fee is added along with two $10.00 recording fees (one to record the forfeiture and one to record the redemption) and also a $45 Physical Inspection Fee.

What happens after my property is in forfeiture?
After a property has been in forfeiture for one year, it enters the foreclosure process. Properties with 2003 taxes will be foreclosed on March 31, 2006.

What happens after my property is foreclosed upon? How do I redeem to get it back?
Foreclosure is final! You cannot get your property back after it has been foreclosed. Once the Circuit Court enters the judgment of foreclosure on March 31st the redemption rights expire.