Bessemer's Clerk/Treasurer is Samantha Zakovec. Lisa Selin is the Deputy Clerk.
Office Hours: 8:00 to 4:00 M-F.
Phone: (906) 667-0333
Email: samantha.z@cityofbessemermi.gov
Clerk
Elections
The Clerk maintains the voter registration records for the City of Bessemer and administers all local, state, and federal elections for the City.
All elections for the City of Bessemer will be held on Election Day 7 am to 8 pm at the following location:
Bessemer City Hall Auditorium
411 S Sophie Street
Bessemer, MI 49911
The State of Michigan has set up an online voter information center for residents interested in finding out more.
The next election is the Primary Election on Tuesday, August 4th, 2026, from 7 A.M. to 8 P.M.
The Clerk's office will be open Saturday, August 1st, 2026, from 7 A.M. until 3 P.M. for voters wishing to register, obtain an absent voter ballot, or to ask questions for the upcoming election.
Registering to Vote
Michigan offers multiple ways to register to vote. If you would like to register online, visit the Michigan Voter Information Center by clicking the button above. You may also stop by the City Clerk's office to register or submit an application by mail. If registering to vote within 14 days of an election, you must visit the City Clerk's Office and provide proof of residency and photo identification. Voters may register on Election Day at the Clerk's Office by submitting a voter registration application before 8 PM with proof of residency and photo identification. If the voter did not bring their photo ID, they must sign the Affidavit of Voter Not in Possession of Photo Identification at the polls before voting.
The following examples are acceptable proof of residency:
- A current or expired Michigan Driver's License or State ID showing the address
- A current utility bill showing the voter's name and address
- A bank statement showing the voter's name and address
- A paycheck showing the voter's name and address
- A government check showing the voter's name and address
- Any other government document showing the voter's name and address
The following examples are acceptable photo identification:
- A current or expired Michigan Driver's License or State ID
- A current Driver's License or personal ID issued by another state. This must be the physical document, not a mobile or digital ID
- A current federal, state, or local government-issued photo ID
- A current US passport
- A current ID card issued by an educational institution
- A current military ID card
- A current tribal ID card
Absent Voter Ballots
Michigan's State Constitution and the Michigan Election Law allow any voter to request and vote an absent voter ballot. Voters who will be unavailable during the election or who would like to vote from home can request absent voter ballots easily by either contacting the Clerk's Office or by visiting Michigan's Voter Information Center and requesting it online.
Voters can also request to be permanently placed on the absent voter list by selecting this option when filling out the absent voter ballot application. Contact your Clerk's Office for assistance with selecting this option.
All absent voter ballots can be delivered to Bessemer City Clerk's Office, 411 S Sophie St., Bessemer, MI 49911, 8 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday, or deposited into the election drop box on the east side of the building next to the Library entrance. The drop box is video monitored and collected daily during the election season.
Treasurer
Taxes
Summer taxes are issued July 1st and due August 15th every year.* After August 15th, there is a 3% penalty added to the bill.
Winter taxes are issued December 1st and due January 15th every year.* After January 15th, there is a 3% penalty added to the bill.
*If the 15th falls on a weekend or holiday, the due date is moved to the next business day when City Hall is open.
More tax exemptions and information on the Assessor can be found on our Assessor's page.
Deferment of Summer Taxes
Deferments can only be filed and dated from July 1st, 2025, through September 14th, 2025. Deferments must be filed annually. Postmarks will not be accepted. Applications are available in the treasurer's office or can be completed online here. All applications must be returned to the treasurer's office for filing. State of Michigan has put together a FAQ for summer tax deferment here. Any other questions can be directed to the Treasurer
Individuals are able to defer the payment of summer taxes based on if they meet one of the following qualifications:
Gross household income for the preceding calendar year did not exceed $40,000 and are:
- 62 years of age or older, including the unmarried surviving spouse of a person who was 62 years of age or older at the time of death
- Paraplegic, hemiplegic, or quadriplegic
- An eligible serviceperson, eligible veteran, eligible widow or widower
- Blind
- Totally and permanently disabled
OR
You own agricultural real property and that the gross receipts of agricultural or horticultural operations in the previous year (or the average gross receipts for operations in the previous three years) are not less than your household income for the preceding calendar year. Call the Treasurer for more information.
Every year on March 1st, the City turns over any delinquent real property taxes to Gogebic County. At this point, the County issues their own interest and penalties and the debt no longer belongs to the City.
Financial Information
Audit reports can be found at the bottom of this page. Contact the Treasurer if you are looking for a report not on this page.