FAQs • Manistee, MI • CivicEngage

My water bill seems high. What should I do?: The primary cause of a higher-than-normal water bill is a leaking faucet or running toilet. Please make sure you do not have any leaks. If you have a concern, please contact the utility billing department at 231-723-2559. They will assist you in reviewing your account and can put you in contact with the water department if the staff needs to make an onsite visit to your location.

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City Treasurer

1. When are my taxes due?: The City of Manistee collects property taxes in the summer and winter for itself and other taxing jurisdictions. Summer bills are due August 20. Winter bills are due February 14. All payments must be received in the city offices on or before the due date or they will be considered late. Postmarks are not accepted. After these dates, penalties and interest will apply.

2. Where do I pay my taxes if they are delinquent?

Real property taxes are turned over as delinquent to Manistee County on March 1 and additional fees and penalties will apply. After this date, all taxes must be paid to Manistee County and the county will send you a delinquent bill. Please make sure your delinquent tax checks are made payable to the Manistee County Treasurer.

Manistee County Treasurer

415 Third St.

Manistee, MI 49660

Personal property taxes are levied on business non-inventory furniture, fixtures and equipment. Every business must annually file a personal property tax statement or an exemption application. If you do not file one of these, the assessor is required to estimate the value of the equipment. Personal property taxes are delinquent as of March 1. The City collects delinquent personal property taxes. If these taxes are not paid, the city can seize the assets and sell them to pay the outstanding taxes

3. My taxes seem too high. Why is that?

Property taxes are determined primarily by three things: The taxable value of your property; the amount of millage levied by the various local units of government; and whether you have a principal residence exemption (PRE).

The assessor determines the taxable value and issues a notice of assessment change each year typically in January. This notice indicates what the assessment and taxable value will be for the upcoming tax year, whether there was a change of ownership and what the PRE status is. You can appeal your assessment to the March Board of Review.

Often, new property owners do not realize that the property they purchase will uncap and raise the taxable value above what it was. This results in a larger tax bill. Likewise, if the property is undeveloped or a second home, it doesn’t qualify for a PRE and results in higher taxes.

4. Where do my property tax dollars go?: Your property taxes fund a variety of local units of government. The various millage rates are shown in the table below here.

5. Where can I pay City bills?: Bills can be paid at City Hall. The payment window is open Mon-Fri, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. We also offer payment drop boxes that are available 24/7. Tax bills and water bills can be paid online via credit card.

6. What fees are charged if I pay a City bill via credit card?: The city uses a third-party credit card vendor that charges a convenience 3% with a $2.00 minimum. This vendor receives 100% of this fee.

7. What are the current water and sewer rates?: Water and sewer are billed monthly. Water rates are $3.36 per 1,000 G and $4.76 per month ready-to-serve charge. Sewer rates are $9.21 per 1,000G and $3.71 per month ready-to-serve charge.

8. My water bill seems high. What should I do?: The primary cause of a higher-than-normal water bill is a leaking faucet or running toilet. Please make sure you do not have any leaks. If you have a concern, please contact the utility billing department at 231-723-2559. They will assist you in reviewing your account and can put you in contact with the water department if the staff needs to make an onsite visit to your location.

9. What are my residential garbage options?: The city offers two levels of service of weekly service for owner-occupied homeowners. The first is a tote system that is billed monthly and costs $17 per month. The second is a bag system where you can buy a package of ten City garbage bags for $25 which can be put out weekly as needed.