TILDEN TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WZMQ) – A seven year legal battle between Marquette County and the Cleveland Cliffs Mining Company has reached a settlement.
A proposal for a $28 million settlement is in its final stages of approval to end the seven year tax dispute.
“The lawyers are drafting the final agreement, it is in their hands at this point,” remarked Joe Derocha, the Marquette County Chairman.
The litigation began over a property valuation disagreement when the Empire Mine ceased operation. The issue grew to include the Tilden Mine and 4 municipalities, Marquette County, the city of Negaunee, Tilden Township and Richmond Township,
According to Derocha the county has spent over $1 million dollars on legal fees alone.
“I could no longer proceed with funding that litigation. I just wanted it over, I think both parties wanted it over,” added Derocha.
Recently the head of Cleveland Cliffs stepped in and helped to put an end to the litigation. According to Derocha, Cleveland Cliffs has already paid townships a total of $13.2 million.
The remainder of the settlement does not have a scheduled payment plan yet. The county says the money will be allocated to townships based upon millages residents have voted on.
“So the county distributes for county services, then whether it’s the City, Richmond Township, or Tilden Township, their millages get allocated as well,” commented Derocha.
Derocha says he and the townships involved are looking forward to continuing to work with the mining company.
