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More Than 500 Higgins Lake Properties Join Legal Challenge to Special Assessment
https://olcplc.com/public/media?1756851709
Higgins Lake, MI – Serious momentum has exploded on the political scene against Roscommon and Crawford Counties' proposed special assessment on Higgins Lake, as more than 500 property owners have now signed up with the law firm of Outside Legal Counsel PLC to formally challenge the legality and fairness of the assessment.Through the website, property owners are organizing a unified response to the county’s plan, which would impose significant costs on lakefront and nearby property owners under Michigan’s Part 307 Inland Lake Levels Act.
“The overwhelming response shows just how deeply concerned residents are about both the legality and equity of this assessment,” said attorney Philip L. Ellison. "This is not just about one project—it's about protecting the rights of property owners and ensuring that counties follow the law."
The Roscommon and Crawford Board of Commissioners are scheduled to hold the final hearings on September 10 and 11, 2025, where the assessment is expected to be rubber-stamped. Property owners argue that the assessment process has been rushed, that apportionments are inequitable, and that the proposed assessment is a “test balloon” for a much larger multi-million-dollar project anticipated in the near future.
While it has emphasized by county officials to insist on written protests by September 2, such are disputed as a legal necessity of such filings. Still, hundreds of property owners have taken the precautionary step of filing protests to prevent the county from later using the lack of filings as an excuse to ignore objections.
“This broad coalition demonstrates that residents are ready to stand up for fairness, transparency, and the protection of their property rights,” states Ellison.
Assuming that the counties act as they have advised they will, the lawsuit and appeal will follow immediately thereafter.
For more information and to join the challenge, visit www.hslsad.com.
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