News

Click the image above to see DEED’s guidance for Minnesota businesses looking to re-open under the most recent executive order from the governor.

Governor Walz has declared this week, May 17 through May 23, Emergency Medical Services Week. So we would like to thank all the EMS personnel out there for all their hard work and dedication! 

Vivid Image, a Minnesota based web and graphic design company,  has created a new Community Graphics site to help local businesses communicate clearly with their customers during these uncertain times. There are options such as take-out order instructions for restaurants as well as curbside pickup for other types of businesses. The company will create the graphics and posters for use on storefronts and social media. All you need to do is fill out the form on the site and the designers will get to work from there and get you the finished product. There is no cost or obligation! 

Self-Employed and Independent Contractors Eligible for Unemployment Benefits

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced that the agency has begun making Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) payments to people who are self-employed, independent contractors, and other eligible recipients who are not eligible for regular unemployment benefits. PUA is a new program that was authorized by Congress in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) and signed into law on March 27, 2020.

Here’s what Minnesotans need to know about applying for PUA:

• If you have already applied for regular unemployment benefits, you do not need to do anything extra to qualify for PUA. DEED will automatically establish a PUA benefit account for you if you are eligible.
• If you have not applied for unemployment benefits yet, special instructions for self-employed and 1099 workers are available here. These instructions include steps you can take to make your account easily identifiable as potentially eligible for PUA.
• If you applied for unemployment benefits without following those instructions, don’t worry – you don’t need to change anything. Your account will still be reviewed for PUA eligibility.
• If you have not heard from DEED yet, don’t worry. We expect to be in touch with most people who are eligible for benefits under PUA by the end of April. There is no need to call or follow-up; you will hear from us proactively if we need additional information to determine eligibility.
• You will receive information about PUA benefits in your online account, by email, and by mail.
• Applicants who receive PUA benefits will also receive the $600/week additional payment.
• PUA benefits will be backdated to whenever you first became eligible due to COVID-19.
• Additional information, including answers to many commonly asked questions, can be found
  

  HERE.

The Importance of Paying Your Property Taxes

The first half of real estate taxes is due on May 15th. So what happens to your taxes after you
drop that payment in the mail? The tax amount you pay is partially based upon the levy needed to
operate the county, your city or township, your school district, and the watershed within your
community. All tax that we collect through May 31st is paid out to these taxing entities by the end of
June. They in turn use these funds for their operating expenses.

The next payment to these entities doesn’t come until November, after the second half due dates of October 15th and November 15th. Therefore, what they receive in June must last these entities almost through the entire rest of the year. This process isn’t Sibley County specific; rather it is the process for all of Minnesota. So, in these trying times, paying your property taxes on time ensures the financial health of your community.

So what happens if you aren’t able to make your full payment by May 15th?

First off, Sibley County takes partial payments. These can be made as frequently as you would like. Payments are accepted in a variety of ways. Payments can be made on-line through www.co.sibley.mn.us. Credit card or e-check payments can also be made over the phone (507-237-4070).

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, our doors are not open for customers, but our drop box on the west side of the courthouse has been an option for years. Some residents participate in our direct payment plan so they will never forget a payment! People enrolled in this plan have their tax payment automatically debited from their account on the due date. But, most commonly, our citizens mail in their tax payments, including their tax statement stubs with a postmark of May 15th or earlier. If May 16th rolls around and you weren’t able to pay the full amount due by the 15th, penalty starts accruing. Over the next several months, depending upon the classification of your property, that penalty amount will top out at 14%. Hence, it is financially prudent to pay all, or as much as you can, of your first half tax bill by May 15th.

Waiver of Penalty Due to COVID-19

At their April 28th meeting, the Sibley County Commissioners approved a property tax hardship
penalty waiver process due to COVID-19. The goal is to help property owners where the household
primary wage earner has been laid off from work and business owners that were ordered to close or
drastically alter their business by Governor Walz. These qualifying residents and business owners may
have late penalties waived until July 1st, 2020, for property taxes due on May 15th. The waiver does not
change the amount of property tax that is due; your property tax statements still reflect the accurate
amount of tax that you need to pay, but it can waive the penalty that will accrue. All property owners
interested in this penalty waiver must complete an application and submit it, along with supporting
documentation, to the Sibley County Auditor-Treasurer to be considered. If you feel you meet the above criteria, and are not able to pay your property taxes that are due May 15th, please access the application by going to www.co.sibley.mn.us, emailing SCTreasurer@co.sibley.mn.us, or calling 507-237-4070.

The City of Arlington is currently hiring new maintenance personnel.

Minimum Qualifications: Must possess a high school diploma or GED. One or more years of experience working in general maintenance and repair work, truck driving, and operation of various types of light and heavy equipment. Preferred Qualifications: Experience working for a city or county public works department. Experience in general maintenance/janitorial work, tree trimming and removal or construction. Conditions of Employment: Must maintain a primary residence within thirty (30) minutes’ drive to the contiguous city limits of Arlington driving under normal conditions and posted speed limits within six (6) months of employment. Must possess and maintain a valid Minnesota Class “B” or higher Commercial Driver’s License (or the ability to obtain in one month of employment) and be able to drive. It is preferred the applicant possess and maintain a valid Special Engineer’s Boiler’s License (or the ability to obtain in one year of employment). Satisfactory completion of background investigation, physical examination and drug testing. Must comply with organizational and departmental policies. Must comply with data practices policies and standards relative to not public data. Any access to not public data should be strictly limited to accessing the data that are necessary to fulfill the employment responsibility. While data are being accessed, incumbent should take reasonable measure to ensure the not public data are not accessed by individuals without a work reason. Once the work reason to access the data is reasonably finished, the not public data must be properly stored according to city policy and Minnesota Statutes.

Salary: $17.32 – $21.07/hour plus benefits. For job description and required application, go on-line at www.arlingtonmn.com/careers or contact Arlington City Offices, 204 Shamrock Drive, Arlington, MN 55307 – (507) 964-2378. Required application is due to the City Administrator no later than 5:00 p.m. on May 1, 2020. Interviews are scheduled for May 6, 2020. The City of Arlington is an Equal Opportunity Employer.