| Genesee County Drain Commissioner |
|---|
| Surface Water Management |
Dear Genesee County Property Owner,
Below is a basic explanation of the Drain Special Assessment process that pays for maintaining the storm drain systems in Genesee County under my jurisdiction.
A properly maintained drainage system is important to county residents and businesses for everything from crop production to keeping streets passable and minimizing flood damage. A routinely maintained system is more cost effective, avoiding the need for large, expensive drain projects often required to rebuild a system that has been neglected for years.
The Drain Special Assessment process begins with the Day of Review of Apportionments in which you as a property owner are invited to review the records of construction efforts and costs for providing your land with storm drainage, and to discuss your proposed share of those costs. This Day of Review also provides the opportunity for you to inform my staff and I of additional maintenance issues, helping us do a better job for you in the future.
If work was done that benefits your property, those costs are assessed on the winter property tax bill as a special assessment and are paid with your property taxes.Drain assessments may be assessed over multiple years to help spread out the cost.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Wright,
Genesee County Drain Commissioner
2025 Assessment ListOpens a new window (winter taxes due 2026)
Frequently asked questions about the State of MI Treasury-Special Assessment DefermentOpens a new window
Frequently asked questions about the Day of Review of Drainage District Boundaries and Apportionments - FAQOpens a new window
Assessment cost in the Construction Assessment documents are only Tentive Costs to recieve a current payoff amount please contact our office at 810-732-1590.
1. What is A Drain Special Assessment?
County Drains under this Office’s jurisdiction are constructed, inspected and maintained under PA40 of 1956, the “Drain Code”. County Drains do not get regular taxes for work on the Drain. The Drain Code specifies that work done on these County Drains is paid for by Special assessment. Each property, municipality and owner of the road within the drainage district pays for maintenance and improvement of the drain and is put on the winter tax bill.
2. What is a Drainage District?
A drainage district is a legally established area of land that drains to a common outlet such as an open ditch or enclosed tile. Drainage district boundaries are determined by natural topography of the land and rarely correspond to political boundaries such as townships or counties. Common words for drainage district include watershed and drainage basin.
3. Where Is The Storm Drain For Which I Am Being Assessed?
The Genesee County Drain Office has a link on this website under maps that can show the location of your property and the county drains within the drainage district. Also additional maps and documents will be available on the Day of Review for Construction projects often on this website. Even if your property does not touch the county drain, you are in the Drainage district if your water goes to that drain.
4. How Are Assessments Determined?
The law requires that assessments be based on benefit derived as determined by the Drain Commissioner. All properties within the drainage district are assessed based predominantly on size of the parcel in the district and the best land use based on what can be built upon it. If a parcel is classified commercial and the property could be developed (more impervious area) it will be assessed as commercial. The more pavement and roof= more water running off the property. A factor for access to the drain or solving an flooding issue can also be factors in the apportionment. Drainage is considered as an interdependent system with the entire system benefiting from maintenance of the common outlet.
5. Why Did I Receive More Than One Special Assessment Notice?
Each notice informs you of a Drain Special Assessment for a different drainage district. Your property can be in multiple drainage districts because stormwater moves from smaller watersheds through larger watersheds, ultimately discharging to the Great Lakes. For example, if your property is located in a small watershed that is nested inside a larger watershed, and we did work on both Drains you would receive an assessment for each district, should they both be assessed in the same year.
6. Is This The Only Way I Would Receive Multiple Drain Assessments In One Year?
No. Water may flow off your property in more than one direction to different drains and drainage districts and more than 1 of those drains may be assessed in the same year.
7. Do All Property Owners Pay Drain Assessments?
All property owners within a drainage district receive an assessment, unless specifically exempted by law. In addition, the Municipality, Genesee County, and the Michigan Department of Transportation (as appropriate) also receive an assessment for general health and welfare or benefit to the road. The Drain Code does not exempt most non-profit or religious properties from assessment.
8. I Recently Purchased My Property, Why Am I Being Billed For Work Done Prior To My Ownership?
Although the work for which you are being assessed may have been completed prior to your purchase of the land, the Drain Code requires that assessments be levied to the property, and assessed to the current owner of record. In most cases, the work performed will benefit the property for years to come.
9. What If I Cannot Attend The Day Of Review?
If you are unable to attend the Day of Review, and have questions regarding your assessment or the assessment process, please call the Genesee County Drain Office; 810-732-1590. It is possible to make an appointment at times other than the Day of Review, but disputes must be received before or at the day of review to be considered.
10. What Happens If I Disagree With the Proposed Assessment For My Property?
Appeal of Drain Special Assessments may be made to the Genesee County Probate Court within 10 days after the Day of Review.
11. I just received and Assessment Letter for my County Drain what does it mean?
Notice are sent when spending limits have been exceeded or if a change has occurred in the percentages for the district or the Drainage District line.
12. I do not live where you did work.
All parcels within a district are assessed for work done. The district is made up of the properties that receive benefit by drain directly or indirectly to the drain.
13. How does this get paid?
Assessments are put on the winter tax bill. do not send payment. Payoff requests can be made for multi-year assessments, usually construction. Title Companies request payoff for property being sold so there is not lean on the parcel.