City of Bay City v. Surath

Plaintiff City of Bay City appeals an award of attorney fees in this condemnation action in the amount of $82,257.97. The city argues that the portion of a reasonable attorney fee that may be assessed against the city is statutorily limited to no more than $22,474. We agree.

In 1984 the city determined that it needed certain parcels of land located adjacent to the Saginaw River for the purpose of constructing a bridge. The property was owned by defendants Bernard and Rosemarie Surath, who operated a scrap iron and metal processing business on the property.

Pursuant to the provisions of the…