Department of Transportation v. Schultz

Plaintiff appeals from an order of the Eaton Circuit Court granting defendants’ motion for reimbursement for their expert witness’ fee and interest on the fee. We affirm in part and reverse in part.

The facts of this case are not in dispute. Plaintiff brought this eminent domain action to acquire from defendants 153.7 acres of vacant land in Eaton County for the further construction of highway 1-69. Defendants did not contest the necessity of the taking, but did contest the $247,168 offer of just compensation. The parties ultimately stipulated the entry of a judgment ordering plaintiff to pay…