A problem with the Rice County Government phone lines is keeping the phones from working at all county offices for a second consecutive day.
The outage, which began early Wednesday morning is impacting the Government Service Building, Highway Department, County Attorney’s Office, Sheriff’s Office/Public Safety Center and the Law Enforcement Center, which houses Community Corrections/Probation. The Rice County Court Administration Office, which is operated by the state of Minnesota, is not impacted. It should also be noted that the joint Rice/Steele County 911 Dispatch system is operated in Owatonna and has also not been affected.
According to the county’s phone carrier, a line was cut and its workers continue to try and resolve the issue.
The county wants to remind all residents that first half property taxes are due next Thursday, May 15. Rice County property owners who have misplaced their tax statement or need to check the amount due can visit the county’s website, www.ricecountymn.gov, and click on the Beacon button near the top left of the home page. They will then be able to enter the address of their property. Once at the page listing their property, they should scroll down to find the “Tax Payment” heading. That will list the amount due and allow them to pay via credit card if they choose.
Credit card payments carry a third-party convenience fee of 2.4% of the tax amount with a minimum $2 charge. Visa debit card payments carry a flat fee of $4.
