Wayne County has to commit to paying $49 million into the employee retirement plan this week or property owners could face a tax hike this year. That would mean a home owner with a $100,000 house would pay an extra $62 per year.
Last week the circuit court ruled that the county failed to pay $32 million into the county employee pension system in 2010. The $49 million reflects that amount plus lost earnings. The county is dealing with a deficit of $70 million.
The county commission was told a special millage could be placed on the summer property tax bills to meet the obligation.
Commission Chairman Gary Woronchak, D-Dearborn, said he’d rather see the county pay the judgment from its Delinquent Revolving Tax Fund instead of putting it on property tax rolls.