Bridgman Residents Upset Over High Drain Assessments

Berrien County Drain Commissioner addresses concerns from residents about tax hikes due to Tanner Creek project

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Some residents of Bridgman, Michigan are seeking answers after seeing their tax bills increase significantly 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 the concerns, explaining that the high assessments are due to emergency repair work done in 2021, a subsequent legal battle, and the ongoing remediation required by the state's environmental agency.

Why it matters

The Tanner Creek drain project has become a contentious issue in the Bridgman community, with residents facing unexpected and substantial tax hikes to cover the costs. This highlights the challenges local governments can face when infrastructure issues arise, especially when legal disputes and regulatory requirements add to the financial burden.

The details

In 2021, Tanner Creek experienced severe flooding during heavy rains, prompting emergency repair work by the previous drain commissioner. However, the state's Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) took issue with how the repairs were done, leading to a lengthy and costly court case. When the current drain commissioner, George McManus, took office, he ended the legal battle, but the outstanding expenses are now being passed on to residents through increased assessments. The remediation work required by EGLE is just now getting underway.

  • In 2021, there was a major rain event that caused flooding and required emergency repairs to the Tanner Creek drain.
  • The previous drain commissioner's repair work was challenged by EGLE, leading to a court case that lasted until 2022 when the current commissioner, George McManus, ended the litigation.
  • In January 2026, the Berrien County Drain Commissioner held a day of assessment review where residents could raise concerns about the increased assessments.
  • The remediation work on Tanner Creek is expected to begin this weekend or on Monday, February 17, 2026.

The players

George McManus

The current Berrien County Drain Commissioner who took office after the Tanner Creek legal dispute had already begun, and who ended the court case.

Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)

The state agency that took issue with the emergency repairs made to Tanner Creek in 2021 by the previous drain commissioner, leading to a lengthy legal battle.

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What they’re saying

“There was a big rain event back in 2021, and there was a repair made on the Tanner Creek drain by the previous drain commissioner, and that was kind of an emergency repair. And the state of Michigan had a problem with how that was done through the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, which is EGLE. And so they wanted it done differently, and there was a court case that went on for a while, and when I took office, I ended the court case. I didn't think it was right to be trying to fight that because I didn't think we were going to win it.”

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

What’s next

The remediation work on Tanner Creek required by EGLE is expected to begin this weekend or on Monday, February 17, 2026.

The takeaway

The Tanner Creek drain project highlights the challenges local governments can face when infrastructure issues arise, especially when legal disputes and regulatory requirements add to the financial burden. The high assessments on Bridgman residents underscore the need for better communication and transparency around such projects to manage community expectations.