Latest News (8)
Job Opening: Athletic Field Groundskeeper
The City of St. Joseph is currently accepting applications for the position of Athletic Field Groundskeeper in the Public Works Department.
Read more ...March 2021 Board of Review Meetings
Due to COVID-19 and pursuant to PA 254 pf 2020 and MDHHS epidemic orders, the City of St. Joseph March Board of Review will be held remotely by electronic conferencing technology; there is no physical meeting location. Residents and non-residents may also appeal by mail, email or fax. Appeals by mail, email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or fax (269-985-0347) must be received on or before March 9, 2021.
Read more ...Job Opening: Water Filtration Plant Operator
The City of St. Joseph is currently accepting applications for the position of Water Filtration Plant Operator.
Read more ...Job Opening: Seasonal Laborer
The City of St. Joseph is currently accepting applications for the position of Seasonal Laborer in the Public Works Department.
Read more ...Lead and Copper Water Testing
Advertisement for Bids: Lakeview Avenue Sanitary Sewer Replacement
Sealed bids will be received until 3:00 pm local time March 16, 2021 by the City of St. Joseph at the City Clerk's Office, 700 Broad Street, St. Joseph, Michigan 49085.
Read more ...Job Opening: Director of Public Works
The City of St. Joseph is seeking qualified applicants for the position for Director of the Department of Public Works.
Read more ...City of St. Joseph Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2021-2025
To view the City of St. Joseph Parks & Recreation Master Plan please click here.
To read all the latest news, click here.
City Assessor
The Assessing Department is responsible for establishing assessments on all taxable property in the City for the equitable distribution of the property tax burden in accordance with Michigan's General Property Tax Act. The Assessing Department's responsibilities include creating the annual assessment roll, maintaining property cards, ownership records, property descriptions and parcel maps, processing Personal Property Statements, and inspecting existing property and new construction.
City Assessor: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Address: 700 Broad Street
Phone: (269) 983-1231
Fax: (269) 985-0347
Proposal A
On March 15, 1994, Michigan voters approved the constitutional amendment known as Proposal A which was designed to limit the growth in property taxes by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) until ownership in the property was transferred. Prior to Proposal A, property taxes were based on the SEV or assessed value of your property. Generally speaking, under the protection of Proposal A, increases in property taxes are limited to the rate of inflation or 5% whichever is less. Exceptions include transfers of ownership, new construction and changes in millage rates. For 2020, the rate of inflation was 1.4%
Transfer of Ownership
Under Proposal A, a Property Transfer Affidavit must be filed with the local assessor when there is a transfer of real property even if a deed is not recorded. This form is usually provided by the Title Company in your real estate closing, but many times a transfer of property does not use a Title Company. It is the responsibility of the new owner to file this form with the Assessor within 45 days of the transfer.
Principal Residence Exemption
If you own and occupy your home as your principal residence you may be exempt from a portion of the local school operating taxes.
- Principal Residence Exemption Affidavit L-2368 (pdf)
- Principal Residence Exemption Guidelines (link)
If your home is no longer your principal residence, you must file a form to rescind your principal residence exemption. Example: You have converted your home to rental property or a vacation home.
- Request to Rescind Principal Residence Exemption (pdf)
- Conditional Rescission of Principal Residence Exemption (pdf)
- Conditional Rescission Guidelines (link)
Board of Review
A taxpayer has the right to appeal their property assessment in March each year. Your assessment change notice that is mailed in late February provides you with dates and times of the Board of Review meetings.
Poverty Exemption
The principal residence of persons who, in the judgment of the Assessor and the Board of Review, by reason of poverty, are unable to contribute towards the public charges is eligible for exemption in whole or in part from taxation under this act. (MCL 211.7u)
- Federal Guidelines (pdf)
- Application form (pdf)
Informational Links
- State Tax Commission (link)
- Berrien County (link)

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Parks & Recreation

Office Hours at City Hall
Monday – Friday:
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
City Facts
- Population - 8,365
- City Employees - 81
- City Budget - $22.8 million
- City S.E.V. - $531,397,117 Avg.
- Residential True Cash Value - $199,000
- Square Miles - 4.4
- City Charter - Approved 1928
- Commercial S.E.V. - 96 million
- Industrial S.E.V. - 35 million
- Residential S.E.V. - 395 million
- Tax Millage - 16.5344