Judge urged to add $30M award to property tax bills

DETROIT (AP) — A company awarded nearly $30 million in a dispute with Detroit schools is asking a judge to add it to property tax bills.

Sodexo Management is trying to collect an arbitrator’s award over unpaid bills.

Sodexo provided custodial and maintenance services to the Detroit district until the company terminated the contract in 2014.

Federal Judge Mark Goldsmith upheld the arbitrator’s decision in August. Now Sodexo wants Goldsmith to order the city to pay up through a special levy on Detroit property taxes.

But lawyers for the city and the school district say Goldsmith should stay on the sideline and let a Wayne County judge look at the tax issue. Goldsmith has set a hearing for Nov. 30.

Meanwhile, interest on the award is accruing at 1 percent per month.