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BACKUS -- Property tax due dates in Cass County have been extended 60 days.

Chief Financial Officer Sandra Norikane presented Resolution 19-20 regarding Property Tax Penalty Relief for first half payments in 2020 at the Tuesday, May 5, Cass County Board meeting.

Norikane proposed that first half property tax due dates be extended to not exceed 45 days past the statutory deadlines. This recommendation was given, Norikane said, because it was felt if a 60 day extension was given it would cause some jurisdictions problems on meeting certain debt payments that are due Aug. 1.

Commissioner Neal Gaalswyk and Commissioner Bob Kangas both stated that they would prefer extending the deadline to 60 days rather than 45 days. It was questioned which property taxes were due May 15 and which ones were due May 31. Norikane stated that the property that has a due date of May 31 is primarily resort property.

Commissioner Jeff Peterson motioned to revise the resolution to waive penalties on amounts due for first half property taxes on real and personal property for a period not to exceed 60 days past the original due dates of May 15 or May 31. Therefore, first half tax payments are due July 15 or July 30 and will be subject to penalties after those dates. A roll call vote was held, with all commissioners approving.

Norikane requested the board to consider adoption of any fee changes for the upcoming liquor license renewals for off-sale licenses at the May 19 meeting. This would allow renewal packets to be sent out in a timely manner. It was also questioned whether combination on and off sale intoxicating liquor licenses should be included in the fee reduction. Currently there are 12 establishments that apply for these types of licenses. The board agreed that there should be consideration given to those types of licenses and agreed to discuss this further at the May 19 meeting.

Another financial matter discussed was the capital improvement plan. Norikane stated this plan currently anticipates levy funding in the amount of $400,000 in 2021-2025. If this is followed through 2025, it is anticipated that the county would be using approximately $670,530 of its current fund balance. In 2019, $496,862 of the fund balance was used to complete projects. Norikane said going forward the county should look at the levy funding on a year by year basis. A motion was made to establish a public hearing for the adoption of the 2020 Cass County capital improvement plan on June 2 during the regular 9 a.m. board meeting beginning at the Backus Land Department. A final copy of the plan will be available on the county website at www.co.cass.mn.us pending comments from commissioners.[[In-content Ad]]

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