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WEST BLOOMFIELD — At the April 14 West Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees meeting, the township’s assessor, Robert Scripture, gave a property revenue tax update report for the 2026 tax year and 2027 budget year.
The March quarterly review ended March 11. The township turned in all the state and county reporting required, according to Scripture. It was accepted and in compliance.
The township experienced an increase of 6.1% in assessed value of property and an increase of 5.57% in taxable value of property, according to Scripture.
He explained that his department looks at “seven big factors,” which include residential sales, transfer of ownership, current millages, property tax exemptions and appeals to the Michigan Tax Tribunal, which, according to Michigan.gov, is a “quasi-judicial administrative court that hears tax appeals for all Michigan state and local taxes.”
West Bloomfield is primarily a residential community, according to Scripture.
“Therefore, the residential market has a large weight in our evaluation,” he said.
He also explained that the data includes the inflation rate multiplier, which, according to the assessor, is not concluded until this October. However, the township’s Assessing Department runs their own analysis throughout the year.
“Currently, I am projecting about 3% for the consumer price index,” he said.
Transfer of ownership looks at the sales of property in the township and new construction projects, as well as the additions to the community, according to Scripture. Projects that started last year and are continuously being updated or near completion — or possibly completed next year — are evaluated and put into the estimate.
Property tax uncapping occurs as a result of a change in ownership of a property.
“Taxable Value is the lesser of Assessed Value (SEV) or the prior years taxable value minus losses, increased by the lesser of 5% or the Inflation Rate Multiplier, plus Additions,” the township’s website states. “A transfer of ownership will change the taxable value to the assessed value in the year following the transfer of ownership.”
Current state property tax exemptions is another major item that factors into the budget.
“Currently, I am unaware of any tax exemption that would impact this estimate as of this evening,” Scripture said.
Lastly, property value appeals that are made to the Michigan Tax Tribunal are also included in the report. The taxable value in West Bloomfield for the 2026 tax year and the 2027 budget year is about a 5.57% increase.
According to Scripture, this applies to the general fund. However, because public safety and the safety pact are levying at their maximum, “they would see some reductions due to the heavy roll back. I have estimates at about 4.5% each.”
“Wow, that’s really good news,” Township Treasurer Teri Weingarden said.
“I was very impressed, Mr. Scripture, (with) how many actual (visits) to properties that your staff made,” Trustee Michael Patton said. “ It helps with the accuracy of assessments.”
At the meeting, Weingarden took an opportunity to share a message with residents.
“I just wanted to say to the public, if you’re very interested in what’s going on in West Bloomfield, I know that we go through a lot of budget meetings, but I personally think that this and the reports that our department heads provide for us … on a biannual basis, I think that’s really the best way to have a deep understanding of what’s going on in the township,” she said. “This is really good information. It is very digestible and easy to understand.”
Residents who have questions about property assessments can call the township’s Assessing Department at (248) 451-4850.
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