Man Gets 7-Cent Tax Shortfall Notice In Mail

BROOKFIELD TWP. (WWJ/AP) - A mid-Michigan man who underpaid his summer taxes by 7 cents found out that local officials don't just let such discrepancies slide.

Tom Sweet got a four-paragraph letter from the treasurer in Eaton County's Brookfield Township that included a receipt and photocopies of his bill and check. There also was the envelope and postage to send it.

Sweet said the treasurer "spent a lot more time than she needed to for seven cents."

Treasurer Martha Skittenhelm said she was trying to provide a customer service, since she only passes tax payments she receives to the Eaton County treasurer. Skittenhelm said she was "just trying to be a good person" and didn't want Sweet to get an unexpected tax delinquency notice.

Eaton County Treasurer Bill Conarton Jr. told The Lansing State Journal that his office only attempts to collect delinquent amounts of $1 or more, although all unpaid taxes -- even shortages of seven cents -- have to be covered by the county through its delinquent tax revolving fund.

Conarton added that if Sweet had overpaid by seven cents, he would get his money back.

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