Modernizing Lake Level Control Structures for Safe Operations and Reliable Lake Levels
Houghton Lake
2024 – 2026 Lake Level Special Assessment
The 2024-2026 special assessment will pay for the establishment of the special assessment district boundaries and engineering for a long-term project. The project cost is $1,275,000. The assessment will last three years (2024-2026) and have a 4.5%* interest rate. The first assessment will appear on property owners' winter 2024 tax bill.
*Interest rate subject to change. Final amount will be known once the bond is sold.
When will I receive my assessment?
If you chose not to prepay your assessment, your 2024, 2025 and 2026 winter tax bills will contain a line item with the annual assessment, including interest.
What if my property taxes are escrowed?
If your property taxes are paid from an escrow account, you should reach out to your mortgage company to discuss what impact the special assessment may have on the balance of your escrow account and your monthly mortgage payment.
What is the interest rate on the assessment?
The final interest rate will not be locked in until financing is secured.
Will there be another assessment?
A lake level special assessment can only be levied when costs are incurred to maintain the legal lake level. There likely will be another assessment in the future.
The Lake Level Control Structure
The lake level control structure (LLCS) is located on a tributary that emerges from North Bay Houghton Lake.
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It was constructed in 1938 to replace a logging-era wooden structure. The LLCS is built with concrete abutments, wing walls and concrete piers to form six bays which water flows through. Water flow is regulated through the bays using a combination of stop logs and wooden vertical slide gates.
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Operation of the LLCS is entirely manual. Vertical wooden slide gates are hoisted out of the water by hand and secured in an open position by chaining the gates to the structure's handrail.
The Process
1
Establish the Special Assessment District Boundaries
Completed December 8, 2022
Consider Amendments to Houghton Lake Legal Lake Level
2
N/A
Resolution to investigate rescinded April 26, 2023
3
Permitting, Special Assessment Hearing, Bidding & Construction
Where we are now
Permitting, Special Assessment Hearing, Bidding & Construction
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Engineers complete engineering design and environmental reviews.
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Engineers apply for permits.
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The county takes construction bids for the project.
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The county publishes a computation of project costs.
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February 7, 2024 | Project team establishes a special assessment methodology to determine property owner costs.
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An assessment roll describes the parcels of land to be assessed and the dollar amount of the assessment against each parcel.
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May 23, 2024 | The delegated authority schedules a public hearing on the project cost and special assessment roll and notifies all property owners in advance.
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June 12, 2024 | Roscommon County Board of Commissioners approves the cost and special assessment roll by resolution.
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Finalize project financing.
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Property owners will have 15 days (until July 2, 2024) to appeal the assessment..
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Assessment will be added to 2024, 2025 and 2026 winter tax bill.
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Issue notice to proceed with construction.
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Begin lake level control structure repairs.