Michigan Department of Treasury awards Hartland Township another perfect audit score

The Michigan Department of Treasury notified Hartland Township that its Assessing Department received a perfect score in the recent Audit of Minimum Assessing Requirements (AMAR). In 2015, the State of Michigan implemented a new evaluation process for local government assessments. The AMAR was put in place to ensure consistency in assessing across the state. Cities and Townships in Michigan are now audited every five years based on the AMAR guidelines.

This was Hartland Township’s second audit under new AMAR standards. In 2015, Hartland Township was among the first municipalities to be audited and one of only three municipalities out of more than 1700 statewide to receive a perfect score.

The audit measures several factors, most importantly whether the Township’s assessing records matched the physical description of the property. The alignment of Township records to the actual property is critical in accurately assessing the value of the property for tax purposes.

“To get a perfect AMAR score in 2015 was a triumph,” says Township Manager Bob West. “To once again receive a perfect score is a true feat and instills confidence in our highly respected Assessing Department.”

According to Hartland Township Assessor Jim Heaslip, much of the credit lies with the residents themselves.

“Year after year, our taxpayers allow us to visit their properties to ensure that they are being assessed correctly,” says Heaslip. “Without their cooperation, we would not have the records and measurements to ensure that their properties are accurately valued.”