The Gingellville Community Center and Orion Township will face off in court this year over a property tax dispute.
Over a year ago, township assessor John Attwell levied property taxes against the center, located on Waldon Road in Orion Township, who says its a non-profit organization and are exempt from paying those taxes.
The two went before the Michigan Tax Tribunal on May 31, and received a trial date for December.
Lillian Hutchison of GCC addressed the Orion Township Board of Trustees at its June 6 meeting. She said knowing what the expense would be to GCC to go to court, she could only imagine how much township taxpayers would be paying.
‘Is this township so rich they are willing to spend more money than the taxes levied against us would ever bring in?? she asked.
‘I guess the days of sitting down and trying to work out your differences are gone,? Hutchison said, adding that they may have to sell GCC if they lose.
GCC director Pam Hutchison said that was very true.
‘We will,? she said of the possibility of having to sell the center. ‘I think that’s (the township’s) whole game, is to drain us of all our funds.?
Hutchison said one day in court will cost GCC $1,000. The trial is currently scheduled to start on Dec. 5 and end on Dec. 9.
‘It’s a full week in court,? she said. ‘The township attorney feels she needs two days to cross examine me, and two days with our accountant.?
In the mean time, Hutchison said the township will give the court its list of people they want to deposition.
‘Then the court stenographer will take the depositions,? she said. ‘The part I find most interesting is that they want to deposition our accountant. The township has never asked to speak to our accountant before.?
Hutchison said GCC made a settlement offer to the township last October, but never received a response.
‘We said if they gave back the exemption, GCC wouldn’t seek attorney fees, and we would give them all the documentation,? she said. ‘The township supervisor didn’t inform the board.?
Hutchison said she made a copy of the offer herself and hand-delivered it to the board members.
‘They were surprised,? she said. ‘But (the township) never responded to it.?
‘We have not lied from day one,? she said. ?(Orion Township Supervisor Jerry Dywasuk) is not paying attention to what the public is saying. I haven’t heard anyone from the public saying anything negative of the center, or that they support the township doing this,? Hutchison said.