Marquette approves of partnerships in power plant tax dispute

MARQUETTE, Mich. (AP) — Marquette officials have approved partnering with other entities to challenge a utility company’s request to reduce the official value of a power plant property for tax purposes.

The Mining Journal reports the Marquette City Commission backed the joint defense agreement in the city’s dispute with Milwaukee-based We Energies. The largest taxpayer in the city says its Presque Isle Power Plant property is worth $61 million, instead of the current $210 million value on the tax roll.

The city denied in August that the property was improperly assessed. The joint agreement would distribute court fees and other costs among signing entities that also receive funding from We Energy taxes.

The other entities haven’t yet signed the agreement. They include Marquette County, Marquette Area Public Schools and the state of Michigan.

Information from: The Mining Journal, http://www.miningjournal.net