BLUE EARTH — In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Faribault County commissioners took up the subject of possible property tax relief on Tuesday.

“Right now, it appears there will be no statewide relief provided by the Legislature,” Auditor/Treasurer Darren Esser noted. “Some Minnesota counties are considering some relief in the form of late payment penalty forgiveness.”

Esser told commissioners he has been in contact with many other county auditor/treasurers regarding tax relief suggestions.

“Most of them are recommending no change at this time,” he explained. “One suggestion brought forth was lowering the penalty for late payments on property taxes, or having a variable interest rate on the penalty depending how late the payment was.”

Commissioners wondered if this would be difficult to administer.

“I think it would be a nightmare for the staff to handle those changes,” Esser answered.

Chairman Tom Warmka agreed.

“To change our policy would be a nightmare,” he said. “We can always revisit this if it becomes necessary.”

In other business, the board:

o Approved a bid in the amount of $1.47 million from Ulland Brothers for a full-depth reclamation of County Road 23, beginning at the south county line and going north to the intersection of County Road 2 in Bricelyn.

o A bid for gravel crushing at a cost of $500,100 was awarded to Holtmeier Construction.

o The 2020 crack sealing bid was approved. ASTECH was awarded the bid in the amount of $889,664.