The Polk County Commissioners met on Tuesday morning and they approved Michelle Cote, Director of Polk County Property Records, to enter a memorandum of understanding with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety as she tries to get written driver’s tests back in Crookston. And they remind the county citizens that property and agriculture taxes are due this month.
POLK COUNTY TRYING TO GET WRITTEN DRIVER’S TESTS BACK IN CROOKSTON –
The Polk County Commissioners unanimously approved the Memorandum of Understanding with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, acting on behalf of the Driver and Vehicle Services Division, to allow Polk County to administer the Class D “written” drivers tests. “We are working with the Department of Public Safety to administer the written learning permit test to anybody over the age of 15. We would really like to bring back this service to Crookston and our surrounding area,” said Michelle Cote, Director of Property Records. “We know it has been a stretch for our residents. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been something that we have been able to have input on or control over. Our residents have had to drive so far for common, everyday things that we sometimes take for granted. We are hoping we can work through the process and be able to proctor those written exams.”
The Department of Public Safety pulled the written and physical driver tests out of Crookston and several other towns throughout the state in March of 2020. “It is all administered through the Department of Public Safety. We have zero control or input as to where they deem the written, and the behind-the-wheel exams are given,” said Cote. “Now people can drive to Bemidji or Detroit Lakes or outside of that area. It is unfortunate for our area, especially for our residents that live in East Grand Forks that have an additional 25 miles from Crookston, and they drive a long way for those basic functions.”
Cote added that they are looking forward to trying to get the permit exams back in Crookston.
PROPERTY TAX PAYMENTS DUE BY MAY 17
The first payment of Property and Agriculture land taxes is due by Monday, May 17, and you can bring your payments to the Polk County Government Center in Crookston, or there are several other ways to pay your taxes. “We have been open full time at the Government Center for almost a year,” said Cote. “If someone would like to come in and make their tax payment, they surely can do that. They can mail it in or do it online through our portal on our website (click here). In addition, if they come after hours, we have a dropbox just on the outside of the main doors, so we have about four good options to pay your taxes.”
No appointments are needed to pay your taxes, but facemasks and social distancing are urged.
