Equalization

Under the general direction of the Board of Commissioners, the Equalization Department conducts the statutory annual equalization of property tax assessments to create uniformity by property classification among the various taxing jurisdictions within Oceana County.

The department is responsible for the maintenance of the assessment and tax rolls and all other tax related data for all units of government except the townships of Benona, Hart, Leavitt, and Newfield. The department also ensures that assessment standards mandated by the Headlee amendment are maintained, explains departmental procedures, tax laws and the assessment process to the public. It also provides information on property ownership, property descriptions and assessments, prepares and files necessary reports with the State Tax Commission and other affected units of government. An additional responsibility is the issuance and verification of permanent addresses for all municipalities except Hart City and the Villages of Pentwater, Hesperia, New Era, Shelby, and Walkerville.