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Assessor's Office - Homesteading

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1. When and how do I apply?

If you own and occupy by December 1st, your property taxes the following year may reflect the homestead classification..

You may apply in person or by mail by December 15. If downloading an application form, please be sure to complete the entire application or we may be unable to process it.

Applying by Mail

You may apply by mail by completing the Homestead Application and sending it to the following address:
Chippewa County Assessor
629 N 11th Street - Ste 3
Montevideo, MN 56265-1652

Applying in Person

You may apply in person at:
Chippewa County Assessor's Office
629 N 11th Street - Ste 3
Montevideo, MN 56265-1652

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Assessor's Office - Property Tax Exemption

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1. What kind of property may be eligible for a property tax exemption?

As a general rule, all property in the state of Minnesota is taxable, except tribal lands, unless the property is owned and used for a public purpose, education, or religious or charitable ministration. For a complete list of properties that may qualify for a property tax exemption, refer to Minnesota Statute Chapter 272, Section 02.

A partial list of the types of property that may qualify for a property tax exemption:

• Academies, colleges, universities, and seminaries of learning
• Churches, church property, and houses of worship
• Electric power distribution lines
• Institutions of purely public charity
• Manure pits certified by the State
• Personal property used primarily for the abatement and control of air, water, and land pollution
• Public burying grounds
• Public hospitals
• Public property used exclusively for public purposes
• Public schools
• Transitional housing
• Waste water treatment systems operated by a municipality
• Wind energy conversion systems

2. How do I know if an organization qualifies as an institution of purely public charity?

This is a difficult question. However, in a 1975 court case, Northstar Research Institute vs. County of Hennepin, the Minnesota Supreme Court established five factors that are often cited as guidelines for determining if an organization qualifies as an institution of purely public charity. These five factors have been expanded to six and have since been referred to as the Northstar Factors.

• Whether the stated purpose of the undertaking is to be helpful to others without immediate expectation of material reward.
• Whether the entity involved is supported by donations and gifts in whole or in part.
• Whether the recipients of the "charity" are required to pay for the assistance received in whole or in part.
• Whether the income received from gifts and donations and charges to users produces a profit to the charitable institution.
• Whether the beneficiaries of the charity are restricted or unrestricted and, if restricted, whether the class of persons to whom the charity is made available is one having a reasonable relationship to the charitable objectives and,
• Whether the dividends, in form or substance or assets upon dissolution, are available to private interest.

3. How do I apply for a property tax exemption?

All owners applying for a property tax exemption must file an application for exemption with the Chippewa County Assessor. 

Documents that may be requested are:

• Application for Property Tax Exemption (PDF) 
• Application for Property Tax Exemption - Purely Public Charity (PDF)
• Articles of Incorporation 
• Deed(s) to the property 
• A detailed written explanation of all current and intended uses of the property
• Income and Expense statements and IRS Form 990 
• Leases or other agreements for space used by individuals or other entities 
• A letter from the Internal Revenue Service granting tax exempt status under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)3 
• Other documents and records unique to a specific property

4. When does a property tax exemption begin?

Property that is subject to the general property tax on January 2nd and is acquired and used for an exempt purpose before July 1st of the same year will qualify for an exemption for that assessment year and will not pay a general property tax the following year.

5. When does a property tax exemption end?

Property that is exempt from the general property tax on January 2nd, and for any reason loses its exemption before July 1st of the same year will be placed on the assessment roll for that year. Property taxes will be due and payable the following year.  

6. Are all parcels owned by the same entity exempt from paying property taxes?

Not necessarily. Each parcel must satisfy all of the requirements for exemption. Also, a parcel that is incidental to the operation of the organization may not be eligible for exemption. There must be a necessary, substantial, and continuing use of the parcel for an exempt purpose by the organization in order for the parcel to be considered for exemption.

7. Is there a cost to file for a property tax exemption?

No. There is no cost to file for a property tax exemption.

8. Can I be assured of receiving a property tax exemption?

The county assessor will consider your request for a property tax exemption. Complete and accurate supporting documentation will aid in a decision.  

9. How long does it take to process an exempt application?

The length of time needed to process an exempt application depends on the complexity of the issues surrounding the ownership and use of the property. Applications can be approved in as little as a week or as long as three months. Please be patient. Every effort will be made to process your application as quickly as possible.

10. What happens if my request for a property tax exemption is not approved?

Whether your request for an exemption from the general property tax is approved or not, you will be notified.

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License Bureau

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1. What are your business hours?

Business Hours:

Monday - Friday  

8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.

Prorate Hours:

Monday - Friday

8:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.

Real and Enhanced ID and Driver's License:

Monday - Friday

8:00 A.M. - 3:30 P.M.

2. What do I need to get an Enhanced Driver's License?

You can find the entire list at:

dvs.dps.mn.gov

3. Where can I get a Driver's Manual?

All Driver's Manuals are available online at:

dvs.dps.mn.gov

4. Do I need insurance on my vehicle in order to purchase registration?

Yes.  As of January 1, 2016, in order to purchase vehicle registration you must supply the insurance company name, policy number and full expiration date.  This information should be written on the bottom portion of your renewal notice..

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Sheriff's Office

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1. How do I get a Permit to Purchase handgun?

To obtain a permit to purchase you must apply in person at the Sheriff's Office, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. You must be 21 years of age, a resident of Chippewa County and have a Minnesota drivers license confirming your Chippewa County address. We have up to seven working days to process your Permit to Purchase application from the time we receive it. The criminal history of each applicant is checked. A record of conviction for certain crimes will be cause for denial of a permit.

Application for Permit to Purchase:

https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/bca/bca-divisions/administrative/Documents/Permit-to-Purchase-Transfer-Application.pdf 

2. How do I get a Permit to Carry?

To obtain a permit to carry you must apply in person at the Sheriff's Office Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. You must be 21 years of age, a resident of Chippewa County and have a Minnesota Drivers License confirming your Chippewa County address. We have up to thirty working days to process your Permit to Carry application from the time we receive it. The criminal history of each applicant is checked. A record of conviction for certain crimes will be cause for denial of a permit.

Requirements

In order to receive a permit to carry you must:

• Have an occupation or personal safety hazard requiring a permit to carry.
• Not be a person prohibited from possessing a handgun or semi-automatic military-style assault weapon.
• Provide a firearms safety certificate recognized by the Department of Natural Resources, evidence of successful completion of a test of ability to use a firearm supervised by the police chief or sheriff, or other proof of the ability to use a handgun safely.
• Take the Permit to Carry handgun certification course.

Helpful tips:

• Please make sure all applications are signed and dated.
• We accept cash, check or money order for your application fee.
• A current copy of your I.D. is needed as well as a copy of the Certificate of your Permit to Carry course.

Renewal information for Permit to Carry:

• A completed course must be valid within one year of application.
• You may apply for your renewal up to 90 days of the expiration date. Cost of renewal application prior to it expiring is $75.00.
• If application is received after 30 days of expiration date, cost for the renewal is $85.00.
• If application for renewal is received after the 30 day mark, it is then treated as a new application and cost is $100.

Application for Permit To Carry:

https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/bca/bca-divisions/administrative/Documents/Permit-to-Carry-a-Pistol-Application.pdf

3. How can I get a copy of a Sheriff’s report or accident report?

Methods

To obtain a copy of a Sheriff’s report or accident report, stop by in person at the Sheriff's Office located at:
629 N 11th Street
Montevideo, MN 56265

You can also to make a request by mail, or by phone by calling 320-269-2121.

Authorization

The report can also be requested by your insurance company but we must have a signed authorization by you.

Fee

A $3 fee for each report must be received before the report can be issued.

4. How do I pick up recovered stolen property?

To pick up property stolen from you and recovered, you must call 320-269-2121 to make an appointment. No evidence will be released without proper authorization and prior appointment.

5. How old do I have to be to operate a motorboat or personal watercraft?

Age Requirements for Operation of Motorboats

Under 12 Years of Age

Horsepower	Requirements
25 Horsepower or less	No restriction
25 to 75 Horsepower	Must have someone at least 21 years old within reach of the controls
75 Horsepower or greater	Cannot operate

12 to 17 Years

Horsepower	Requirements
25 Horsepower or less	No restriction.
25 Horsepower or greater	Must either have: Someone at least 21 years old on board within reach of the controls Watercraft Operators Permit (Permit applications and education materials are available from the Sheriff's Office and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)

Age Requirements for Operation of Personal Watercraft (PWC)

Under 13 Years of Age

May not operate PWC even with an adult on board.

13 to 17 Years of Age

May operate without permit only with an adult onboard the craft.

13 Years of Age

May operate with a PWC Operators Permit and under the visual supervision of a person 21 years or older.

14 to 17 Years of Age

May operate PWC alone if they have a Watercraft Operators Permit.

6. What can I do if I have problems with snowmobilers trespassing on my property?

Posting

Non-agricultural land should be properly posted; "No Trespassing" signs should be placed at each corner of the property and at all entrances. It is legal for snowmobilers to ride within the road right of way.

Gather Information

If you have snowmobilers who are trespassing on your property try to get the following information:

• Description of the Operator
• Registration Number
• Snowmobile Description

It is oftentimes difficult to get this information unless you are very close or the person trespasses repeatedly.

Contact Us

If this is happening on a regular basis call the Sheriff's Office at 320-269-2121 and let us know the specific area and time of the offenses and we will make an attempt to patrol the area.

7. What does the Sheriff's office charge to serve a civil process?

The charge to serve most civil process is $50 plus mileage round trip (at the current rate of reimbursement) computed from Montevideo. If there are two separate parties to be served the cost is $50 per person or business served.

There are different fees for other processes but the $50 fee plus mileage covers about 80% of all actions.

8. Does the Sheriff serve all civil process papers?

The Sheriff must serve all process delivered to him for service, however, about 95% of all civil process may be served by anyone who is at least 18 years of age and not an interested party in the action.

9. What is the process for getting a tenant evicted from my rental property?

To evict a tenant for violation of the terms of a lease the landlord must go to the Chippewa County Court Administrator to get an Eviction Summons and Eviction Complaint in Unlawful Detainer issued. From there the following proceedings will occur:

1. The Sheriff, or private process server, will serve the Eviction Summons and Unlawful Detainer upon all tenants listed at the property.
2. A court date is set approximately 14 days later allowing the tenant and the landlord to give their statements to the court.
3. The court will issue a decision whether or not the tenant should be evicted.
4. If the court decides in favor of the landlord and the person still does not move out, the landlord must have the court issue a Writ of Restitution and the Sheriff must serve this on the tenant.
5. 24 hours after the Writ of Restitution has been served the Sheriff and the landlord can remove the tenant.
6. If needed the landlord must safely keep the tenants property.

10. When do I call 911?

You should call 911 for police, fire, and medical emergencies, to report crimes in progress or that have just occurred.

11. When do I call the Sheriff's Department?

You should call the Sheriff's Department, at 320-269-2121, for non-emergencies.

Non-emergencies include:

• A crime that occurred some time ago
• Speaking with a deputy about a law enforcement issue
• To report a crime that is not in progress

12. What happens if I call 911 from my cell phone?

Calls made from a cell phone are directed to the nearest State Patrol Office. At this time, 911 calls from a cell phone do not provide caller information such as name, address, and phone number that is normally available to our office when a call is made from a standard phone.

13. What is there to know about the Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program?

About

The Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program (D.A.R.E.) is a 17-week (one hour per week) program for fifth or sixth grade students taught by specially trained uniformed law enforcement officers. D.A.R.E. was created in Los Angeles, California in 1983 to teach pre-teens the skills necessary to resist drug experimentation.

Information Covered

D.A.R.E. lessons focus on providing accurate information about:

• Alternatives to drug use
• Drugs and alcohol
• Showing them how to resist peer pressure
• Teaching students decision-making skills
• Ways to improve self-esteem

14. Who do I call if I have information on a crime?

If the crime is in progress or it is an emergency call 911. For any information that is not an emergency call 320-269-2121 and your call will be directed to the proper person.

15. What are the jail visiting hours?

Jail visiting hours are as follows:

Tuesdays and Fridays
1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
7 to 9 p.m.

16. What is the "Huber Law"?

"Huber Law" or work release allows a person sentenced to jail to work at their regular place of employment during their normal working hours but they must return to the jail during their non-working hours. This opportunity is available at the discretion of the court and the inmate must pay the County $25 per work day for this privilege.

17. Who would I contact if I had information about some suspected drug activity?

Call the Chippewa County Sheriff’s office at 320-269-2121 to ask questions, or report suspected illegal drug activity.

You can also email the Sheriff directly by submitting our Contact Form.

Non-Emergencies Only

Under no circumstances should email be used to report an emergency situation.

18. Why does the court issue a warrant?

Most commonly, a warrant is issued when a person fails to show for a court appearance when summoned.

19. How can I contact a deputy who handled my complaint?

To contact the deputy who handled your complaint, call one of the non-emergency telephone numbers for the Sheriff's Office at 320-269-2121 or 320-269-2122.

The message will be given to the deputy and they will get back to you.

20. What is "Sentence to Service"?

This is a program which places inmates in a work crew supervised by an employee of the Minnesota Department of Corrections. The crew performs work on public or non-profit projects, primarily within Chippewa, Yellow Medicine, and Lac Qui Parle Counties. The projects include such tasks as:

• Clean up in state parks
• Painting of public buildings
• Roadside weed and brush control

Participants in this program receive time off their sentences, or perform this service in lieu of payment of a fine.

21. Does Chippewa County prosecute worthless checks?

Yes, Chippewa County does prosecute worthless checks passed in Chippewa County if they meet certain criteria.

22. What do I do if I receive a worthless check and want to have it prosecuted?

To obtain the forms and instructions, you may contact the Sheriff's Office at 320-269-2121 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

23. What type of worthless checks are not considered criminal and cannot be prosecuted?

Types of checks that are not considered criminal and therefore cannot be prosecuted include:

• Checks accepted to hold
• Checks given as payment on an account
• Checks in which partial payment has been received
• Post-dated checks
• Rent checks
• Second and third party checks
• Stop payment checks