The compassion and care that has become a hallmark of Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski continues unabated. Recognizing that a March 31st deadline is looming for families and homeowners who are running delinquent on property taxes, the Treasurer is offering to meet with anyone on the verge of tax foreclosure to help find a solution to keep them in their home, and their home protected from take over.
Witkowski wants anyone facing an overdue tax bill to realize that he is available to meet with them in search of a workable payment solution to keep the home from being foreclosed upon when the March 31st deadline arrives.
Wikowski says he will meet with property owners who are facing foreclosure due to unpaid property taxes, including those owing 2017 and prior year’s taxes who are eligible to set up a monthly payment agreement with the Treasurer to avoid losing their property.
Within the last two years, more than 800 property owners have avoided foreclosure by signing up for a monthly payment plan through the Berrien County Treasurer’s office. Witkowski’s program has served to benefit property owners, along with each local municipality impacted by overdue taxes, and he reports an overall success rate of 93-percent.
Witkowski is available at the Berrien County Administration Building, located at 701 Main Street in St. Joseph, Monday thru Friday, 8:30-5:00 PM, except for Tuesdays when he is in the Niles office located at 1205 Front Street from 9:00-12:00 PM.
Witkowski has also set additional dates and times to meet with him in Watervliet, Niles and Benton Harbor prior to the March 31st foreclosure date. Here are those options:
February 12th Watervliet Public Library 5:00-8:00 PM
333 N. Main Street
Watervliet, MI 49098
February 15th South County Court House 11:00-3:00 PM
1205 Front Street
Niles. MI 49120
February 29th Benton Charter Township Hall 11:00-3:00 PM
1725 Territorial Rd
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
By law, all 2017 and prior taxes are to be paid in full, or a payment agreement signed before March 31, 2020 to avoid foreclosure. Witkowski reminds that he has no authority after March 31st to allow any exceptions, unless court ordered.
