The Coalition for Property Tax Justice held a press conference last week to encourage Wayne County Treasurer Eric Sabree to place a moratorium on tax foreclosures for home valued at $50,000 or lower.

The Coalition is refuting the city of Detroit’s interpretation of a study conducted by the International Association of Assessing Officers, which concluded that the city is following Michigan law, and on average they are assessing properties correctly.

Coalition Leader Bernadette Atuahene says while the results are correct, averages can still hide the real issue.

“For instance, 10+60+80 divided by three, is 50, right, the average of those three numbers is 50; but within that, the 60 and the 80 are both unconstitutional, right?” Atuahene said. “So two-thirds, two of the three right, are unconstitutional, but you can declare that on average, they’re following the law, and that’s exactly what’s happening.”

Atuahene applauded the city for getting the averages right, but says it still needs to reevaluate the over-assessed homes. She calls tax foreclosure “an act of legal violence” and says it should only happen with extreme precaution.

The coalition is also calling for Mayor Mike Duggan to admit the issue exists.

“The Duggan administration, study after study after study, refuses to acknowledge that the lower valued homes are still being overassessed,” Atuahene said. “Instead, they keep resting on the fact that, on average, the homes are being assessed at 50% so we’re calling on the Duggan administration to respect the data.”

The coalition released a study from the University of Chicago last year that showed overassessment of the value of these properties. City officials denied any systemic issues in the taxing process.

The City Assessor’s Office told WDET that the coalition has a poor success rate in assessment appeals, suggesting their claims are not supported by facts.

–Reporting by Bre’Anna Tinsley, WDET News

Other headlines for Monday, May 19, 2025:

• A group representing Michigan’s corrections officers is asking the state House of Representatives to send a package of bills affecting their retirement options to the governor, WKAR reports.
• Detroit City Council has confirmed Tanya Stoudemire as the city’s new Chief Financial Officer. Stoudemire — the first woman to hold the CFO title in Detroit — will succeed Jay Rising, who retired in April after 4 years on the job.
• Fridays at the Station returns to Michigan Central on Friday, May 23, with music from Malik Alston and the Linwood Ensemble performing with songstress Maurissa Rose. Doors open at 5 p.m.

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