 Hello everyone,
Earlier this week, Governor Walz extended our Stay at Home order until May 4. While we are seeing that the curve in Minnesota is flattening, we need to extend the restrictions in order to keep more cases from developing and spreading which would overwhelm our medical system.
I also want to thank our State and Federal policymakers for working hard during this crisis to make sure we all have the resources we need to provide for our residents - including helping combat food insecurity and also programs to help small businesses and those out of work. Visit https://www.ramseycounty.us/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-information to learn more. This information is refreshed regularly so is a great source for the most up-to-date-information.
My physical office remains closed for in person meetings, but my office will continue to serve constituent needs that come up, and will be available via phone (651-266-8359) or email (district2@ramseycounty.us) to answer any inquiries you may have.
I wish you well as you adjust to the changes that will inevitably come in the next few weeks and months. Please be safe and healthy, and don't forget to wash your hands!
Thank you,
Mary Jo
Property tax and valuation process changes due to COVID-19
Ramsey County recognizes there are questions about property tax payment deadlines due to the COVID-19/coronavirus pandemic and its impact on our community. The County is working with local and state partners on options to create flexibility for taxpayers facing financial hardship.
The existing deadline for first half property tax payments is May 15. Ramsey County is working to identify options in the weeks ahead to share with taxpayers before this deadline.
Questioning or appealing your valuation
Annual property valuation notices and tax statements for 2020 were mailed to Ramsey County property owners in mid-March. Valuation notices include your property classification, estimated market value and taxable market value, which is used to determine property taxes payable in 2021.
Digital copies of the valuation notice and tax statement are available in the tax and value lookup system.
Please review your valuation notice carefully. If you believe there is an error, now is the time to appeal or question your classification or valuation. It will be too late to appeal when proposed taxes are mailed in November. The first step in the process is to contact the Assessor’s Office about your questions or concerns at 651-266-2131.
If you choose to formally appeal your property value to the County Board of Appeal and Equalization, the appeal forms must be postmarked by May 8.
Learn more about appeal options
COVID-19 Case Update in Minnesota
Thursday's figures from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) show that the number of confirmed positive COVID-19 cases in the state has increased from 1,154 yesterday to 1,242 today, out of a total 32,294 tests that have now been processed by MDH and external laboratories.
293 Minnesotans have required hospitalization for COVID-19, with 145 currently hospitalized, and 63 of those in the ICU. There are now 675 patients who have recovered and no longer require isolation. The state has now experienced 50 COVID-19 related deaths, with a median age of 87. The age range of all positive COVID-19 cases ranges from 4 months - 104 years, with a median age of 51.
Click here for the most current information from MDH, including details on which counties have current cases, more specific data regarding the case age ranges and exposure sources of current positive cases.
MDH is working with #CovidNearYou to gather data about #COVID-19. Sign up at http://covidnearyou.org to report how you’re feeling—whether you’re healthy or have symptoms. This will help MDH learn more about the virus so they can make decisions about how to best protect Minnesotans.
Volunteering to serve our community during the COVID-19 pandemic
Volunteers play a critical role in serving our community. Ramsey County remains deeply grateful to the thousands of volunteers that donate their time and energy each year to help us deliver programs and services that enhance our quality of life.
If you are interested in volunteering during the COVID-19 pandemic, the following organizations have information on local and remote opportunities.
Ramsey County is evaluating the best way to engage volunteers in our organization during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most volunteer opportunities are temporarily suspended as we switch to online and phone-based service delivery. Opportunities to serve through Ramsey County will be posted to our website as they are identified.
 Medical Reserve Corps
The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) of Ramsey County will need additional support during the extended COVID-19 response. MRC is a countywide resource of health professionals and other volunteers who strengthen our community by preparing for and responding to public health and related emergencies.
If you or someone you know are interested in helping your community during the COVID-19 pandemic, visit the Medical Reserve Corps page to learn more and sign up.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) donation site now open
Ramsey County has established a drop-off site to accept requested donations for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for staff who work on the front lines responding to COVID-19. The following items are requested in unused (sealed or open) condition:
- N95 respirator masks.
- Medical, surgical or industry face masks.
- Tie-in-back gowns.
- Face shields.
- Surgical gloves (nitrile or vinyl).
-
Cloth face coverings (homemade face masks).*
*- donations of any homemade face coverings should accord with current guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health.
Donations will be used by staff in Public Health, Social Services, Correctional Health and other areas that work directly with the public and with vulnerable populations in particular. The donations will supplement the county’s existing supplies which are limited.
The drop-off site is located on the county’s Public Works campus at:
1425 Paul Kirkwold Drive
Arden Hills, MN 55112
Roadway signs direct donators from Highway 96 directly to the large donation box. The site is under 24-hour surveillance and staff will retrieve items through the day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. which is when drop-offs are preferred. Organizations that may have the ability to provide exceptionally large donations should call 651-266-7211 to make special arrangements.
Justice collaborative works to protect public safety and health during COVID-19 pandemic
As soon as the COVID-19 pandemic emerged in Ramsey County, partners across the justice system began taking immediate action to address public health risks in our detention and correctional facilities to significantly reduce the possibility of virus transmission. We realized early on that an outbreak in our facilities would not only impact staff and the people incarcerated but could quickly make its way into our larger community.
Since mid-March, the population of Ramsey County’s Adult Detention Center (jail) has been reduced by 54%, and the population of the Ramsey County Correctional Facility (workhouse) has been reduced by 55%. We were able to respond quickly to the pandemic, ensuring public safety while protecting public health, and achieve such significant reductions due to a strong tradition of collaboration over the past two decades on everything from strengthening protections for victims of domestic violence through the Blueprint for Safety to reducing detention of our youth through the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) to improving our response to adults through the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC).
Together, we are making informed decisions about who needs to be detained because they represent a serious threat to public safety and who can safely be released and supervised via tools like electronic home monitoring and probation staff.
Steps partners have taken include:
- Finding alternatives to detention for those who have committed minor offenses.
- The Sheriff’s Office reviewing current jail logs for immediate, appropriate release opportunities.
- The County Attorney’s and Saint Paul City Attorney’s Offices working with the Public Defender’s Office to review and resolve low-level cases in accordance with newly-drafted Second Judicial District guidance.
- Community Corrections working closely with the Second Judicial District Bench in order to develop appropriate release authority to safely minimize the population at the Ramsey County Correctional Facility.
- Law enforcement from across Ramsey County working with Sheriff’s staff to ensure those brought to jail are only those who are a threat to themselves or others, will likely continue criminal activity, or likely not appear in court.
A new Justice System collaboration and response to COVID-19 page is now available in the COVID-19 section of the our website with a comprehensive list of actions underway during the pandemic to protect public safety and health. The page will continue to be updated in the weeks ahead as additional measures are taken by justice system partners.
Collaborative partner agencies
Supporting Local Businesses
We know that things are somewhat unknown right now, but when possible, we are encouraging people to support local business. We will highlight specific opportunities we know about in our newsletters. Feel free to let us know if you know of any others via email at district2@ramseycounty.us.
Locally Made Hand Sanitizer
Many local breweries and distilleries are making World Health Organization-approved hand sanitizer. If you are having problems finding in, stores, consider these local sources!
Bent Brewstillery
 Bent Brewstillery is also producing larger containers of sanitizer for 1st responders, medical suppliers, and local companies. Interested parties can email info@bentbrewstillery.com for more information.
All Hands MN
This group is targeting people in our communities who are housed in densely populated conditions, people who come in contact with large numbers of people and are unable to social distance, and other essential workers. Unfortunately, All Hands will not supply sanitizer directly to individuals at this time.
For more information: https://www.allhandsmn.org/.
Help Finding Services for Older Adults During COVID-19
As Minnesotans are adjusting to changes due to the threats of COVID-19, access to services and other resources has become a more urgent need. Older adults are among those at greatest risk for the coronavirus and many of the familiar services that help them stay independent in their homes may not be available or may offer different or more limited services. The Minnesota Association of Area Agencies on Aging (m4a) and the Minnesota Board on Aging (MBA) are working together to ensure the needs of older Minnesotans are met quickly given the increasing and changing needs caused by the pandemic.
The Senior LinkAge Line® (1-800-333-2433) continues to be the best source of unbiased and accurate information for older adults and caregivers but now there's a new online resource finder tool at www.HelpOlderAdultsMN.org, which contains a searchable listing of services from across the state such as home-delivered meals, grocery and drug deliveries, care coordination and home care. Search capabilities make it easy to find services relatively close to home. Currently the listing includes services provided under the Older Americans Act and other readily accessed information. Read full press release here.
COVID-19 impacts on county services
Ramsey County remains open for business, but have implemented new methods of service delivery. Please do not attempt to access county services in-person at this time. This is both for your safety, as well as the safety of Ramsey County employees during this time.
If you have a question or need assistance with a county program or service, your first step should be to call the Customer Contact Center which is open Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
651-266-8500
Ramsey County's Customer Contact Center is a one-stop option for directing and resolving resident inquires via phone, email, social media and other means.
Ramsey County’s office phone lines are open during regular hours. If you receive a busy signal or message when calling, it’s because of the heavy cell phone call volume in the Twin Cities metro area.
If possible:
- Try calling from a landline phone.
- Try calling from a cell phone connected to another mobile carrier.
- Try calling again later.
If your issue cannot be resolved over the phone, you will receive instructions on next steps.
Interactive map available to locate document drop-off sites
Six secure document drop-off sites are available at locations across the county for residents to submit forms and other materials related to all county service types. The boxes can be used for the limited situations in which it is not possible to submit information online or by phone.
A new interactive map is available to help residents quickly locate nearby sites. The map includes a photo of each box location along with site details and a link to get directions via Google Maps.
Find locations on the interactive map
These items should not be placed in the document boxes: cash payments, child support payments, library materials, gun permit applications, city of Saint Paul documents and Court documents.*
Walk-up service assistance is also available as an option of last resort at the three downtown Saint Paul locations from 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Monday–Friday.
*The box located at Saint Paul City Hall - Ramsey County Courthouse accepts city and court documents.
Executive orders from Governor Walz
These orders further strengthen Minnesota's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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