Berrien County Drain Commissioner Explains High Assessments for Bridgman Residents

Residents seek answers after tax bills rise due to Tanner Creek drain project and legal costs

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Some residents of Bridgman, Michigan are facing higher tax assessments due to a drain project and associated legal bills involving Tanner Creek. Berrien County Drain Commissioner George McManus attended a city council meeting to address concerns from residents about the unexpected costs. McManus explained the history of the project, including emergency work done by the previous drain commissioner in 2021 that led to a legal battle with the state's environmental agency, resulting in over $1 million in costs that are now being passed on to residents in the drainage district.

Why it matters

The Tanner Creek drain project highlights the challenges local governments can face in maintaining critical infrastructure, especially when unexpected issues or legal disputes arise. The high assessments being levied on Bridgman residents have caused significant frustration and raised questions about transparency and communication around such projects.

The details

In 2021, the previous Berrien County Drain Commissioner performed emergency repairs on the Tanner Creek drain after heavy rains caused flooding. However, the state's Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) took issue with how the work was done. This led to a lengthy court case that cost over $1 million before a settlement was reached last year. The outstanding expenses from the initial work, the restoration now underway, the court case, and interest on borrowed funds are all factors contributing to the high assessments being sent to Bridgman residents in the drainage district.

  • In 2021, there was a big rain event that led to emergency repairs on the Tanner Creek drain.
  • In January 2026, the Berrien County Drain Commissioner held a day of assessment review where residents could discuss their assessments.
  • Remediation work to satisfy EGLE is just getting started in Tanner Creek and could begin as soon as this weekend or Monday.

The players

George McManus

The current Berrien County Drain Commissioner who attended the Bridgman City Council meeting to address resident concerns about the high assessments.

Tanner Creek

The creek that snakes around Bridgman and empties into Lake Michigan at Weko Beach, which has been the focus of the drain project and associated legal issues.

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What they’re saying

“There's a code that's followed, and we followed the code that we have to give, like I have a day of assessment review when they can come in. That was done back in January, and they can come in and talk about their assessments. So that's passed.”

— George McManus, Berrien County Drain Commissioner (wsjm.com)

“It was all the outstanding expenses, so it was part of the cost of the initial work, the restoration that we're doing now, the court case. There was money borrowed to fund the work that was done earlier, so there's interest on that money. That's all in there.”

— George McManus, Berrien County Drain Commissioner (wsjm.com)

What’s next

The remediation work on Tanner Creek to satisfy EGLE is expected to begin this weekend or Monday.

The takeaway

The Tanner Creek drain project highlights the financial and legal challenges local governments can face in maintaining critical infrastructure, with the high assessments on Bridgman residents raising concerns about transparency and communication around such projects.