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(Editor’s Note: Peninsula Township Supervisor Maura Sanders reports in with news about the 20 percent assessor inspections, a new 2025 photo for the Peninsula Township Fire Department, how Michigan’s property tax structure works, new Parks Committee members and more. Big thanks to Maura for these weekly updates that keep us tuned into what’s happening at the Township offices. Read on for this week’s note. -jb)
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August 30, 2025
WOMP vs Peninsula Township Update
Filings in the winery lawsuit can be found here. They are also available on Pacer (a website that keeps all public records current on all federal litigation) here. Once you register on Pacer, you can find the case by going to the Michigan Western District court under case number 1:20-cv-01008.
The Township did receive two sealed appraisal bids by Thursday’s deadline. We are moving forward with the appraisal process for Archie Park, Bowers Harbor Park, 4025 Swaney Road and Mission Point Lighthouse.
The Parks Committee (PkC) met this week. Here is the YouTube link to catch up on all things Parks. New parks committee members Liz Bruning and Erin Gartland were welcomed to their first meeting on August 25th. Thanks to both for stepping up to help with our significant parks holdings and responsibilities.
Liz and Erin replace long-tenured outgoing members, Mary Beth Milliken and Pete Dahl. Many thanks to Mary Beth and Pete. Both made significant contributions to each of the parks, with Mary Beth giving focused attention to Archie Park and Pete to the Old Mission State Park and Mission Point Lighthouse Park.
Bids for the pre-funded Hemlock Boardwalk at Pelizzari Natural Area are underway with construction completion expected before summer of 2026. Information about the boardwalk project is on the township’s home page.
The 2025 Peninsula Township Fire Department photo is hot off the presses. We are a very lucky community to have these professionals on our team. From Fire Chief Fred Gilstorff:
“This is our team of dedicated individuals that work hard to protect our residents and visitors every day. I am so grateful to have a great team who are willing to lay it all on the line for others. If you see them out and about, please say Hi, or stop in at any of the stations any time. Our doors are always open. I hope everyone has a wonderful day and please be safe out there. Special thanks to OMP resident Frank Kidd for talking our pictures. Great job!”
The Fire Department also participated in Old Mission Peninsula School’s open house and brought along their new fire safety house, which features fire safety tips. “This was a great opportunity for our staff members to educate our OMP students on fire safety,” says Chief Gilstorff. The fire safety house will also be on display at the fire department’s open house on Oct. 4th. Watch for more details to come.
Updates From Down the Hall
The Assessor’s Office: Sally and David have been continuing their annual 20 percent field assessing.
(From the State of Michigan document regarding the assessing and notifications: “As a guideline, the State Tax Commission recommends that assessors inspect 20% of properties in their local unit annually. Of primary importance is that assessors have a documented inspection plan that provides for consistent review of all properties within the local unit over a specified period of time.” More info here. -jb)
From Sally: How do taxes increase? In “status quo” situations (generally when there is no new construction or transfers of ownership), the Taxable Value (TV) of your property is increased by the Inflation Rate Multiplier (IRM) or 5 percent (whichever is less).
Historically, the IRM has averaged 2.5 – 3 percent annually. However, in the last three years, the IRM has been 5 percent, 5 percent, and 3.1 percent respectively. A 13.1 percent increase over three years is an appreciable increase, to be true. However, this is Michigan’s property tax structure (known as “Proposal A”). This is not limited to Peninsula Township property owners. Everyone in the state is subject to this “capped value formula.”
The Assessor is also responsible for convening the Board of Review (BOR). This board has some unique responsibilities assigned to them (click through that link for the full list).
- Review of the Current Year Assessed or Tentative Taxable Value.
- Appeal of a denial by the assessor of a timely filed Small Business Taxpayer Exemption (MCL 211.9o, Form 5076).
- Property Classification. Boards of Review are required to act upon properly filed classification appeals.
- Taxable value corrections due to the incorrect calculation of taxable value. This may be due to an uncapping issue.
- Disabled Veterans Exemptions. Boards of Review are required to approve disabled veteran exemptions in accordance with statutory requirements.
- Poverty Exemptions. The Board or Review must follow the policy and guidelines of the local assessing unit in granting or denying a poverty exemption.
The Treasurer’s Office
Taxes are due in 2 1/2 weeks (Sept. 15th). Pay in person during office hours, drop your payment into our secure drop box outside the front door of the Township office, or pay online anytime at peninsulatownship.com. Starting Sept. 16th, 1 percent interest will be added to all unpaid tax bills, no exceptions.
The Planning Office
At the Sept. 2nd Planning Commission meeting, Walnut Grove, a 33-unit planned unit development (PUD) proposed for the property across the road from Port of Old Mission, will be reintroducing a revised site plan for Planning Commission consideration.
The Zoning Office
Septic Informational Webinar for Residents:
SepticSmart Week is Sept. 15-19 and aims to raise awareness of effective septic management among the 1.3 million Michigan residents whose wastewater is treated by a septic system. This includes a free webinar on Sept. 15th at 9 a.m. offering education on proper use and routine care of septic systems to help homeowners avoid costly repairs and protect the health of groundwater, lakes and streams. Find more resources for local governments on septic education on the SepticSmart web page.
Looking Ahead to Next Week – and Beyond
The Peninsula Community Library (PCL) Annual Art Sale is Saturday, Sept. 13th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. All are welcome to browse and shop from local artisans showcasing their work at PCL’s Art Sale. Textiles, block printing, lithographs, jewelry, woodworking, photography, shadow boxes, quilting, fiber arts, watercolors, pottery and much more!
Old Mission Peninsula School is enrolling for the new school year and also hiring. We are a very lucky community to have this opportunity for our youngest residents to thrive! Good luck to all of our youngest residents, their families and our educators on their first day of the school next week!!
Grand Traverse County Household Hazardous Waste. Sign up is available for the next Household Hazardous Waste and Pesticide Collection event on Sept. 13th, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Go to the Grand Traverse County Recycle Smart website for details on how to make an appointment.
Please keep an eye on all upcoming meetings via the Township website and our live streamed meetings (saved for 30 days) on our YouTube Channel.
Have a great Labor Day weekend, everyone!
Maura Sanders, Peninsula Township Supervisor
Phone: (231) 223-7323
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours: Mondays 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesdays – Thursdays 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Friday – Sunday and Holidays. If TCAPS is closed due to weather, Peninsula Township offices are closed at least until 10 a.m. Please check the website homepage for any updates.
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