Governor extends some emergency provisions; Floyd County treasurer lists impact

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

Gov. Kim Reynolds extended her Public Health Disaster Emergency declaration on Friday, one day before the latest period for COVID-19 mitigation measures was to expire.

The extension continues business measures through Aug. 23, including requirements for bars and restaurants to ensure 6 feet of space between each individual or group who is dining or drinking.

It also extends some – but not all – of the orders that affect services offered through county treasurers.

Floyd County Treasurer Frank Rottinghaus said the latest proclamation impacts many of the services provided by his office.

“The proclamation sections related to property taxes were extended through Friday, July 31. The sections related to driving with expired licenses were extended through Aug. 23,” Rottinghaus said in a press release.

“The sections related to motor vehicle renewals and title transfers and temporary plates were not extended and expired on July 25, 2020 at midnight,” he said.

Rottinghaus offered this list of “What you need to know”:

• Pay property taxes that were due in March by July 31 to avoid penalties.

• Pay motor vehicle renewals by Aug. 31 if your registration expired in the months of January 2020 through July 31, 2020.

• If you purchased a vehicle between Feb. 13 and March 15 your vehicle must be transferred as soon as possible to avoid penalties. Call 641-257-6618 to get additional information.

• If you purchased a vehicle between March 16 and July 25, you must apply for title and registration by Aug. 24 to avoid penalties.

• Driver’s licenses that expired beginning Jan. 16 and during the proclamation have driving privileges extended through Aug. 23. The Iowa Department of Transportation offers several services online at iowadot.gov/mvd/driverslicense/service-selector.

• Driver’s license renewal is available to some drivers online at mymvd.iowadot.gov. A six-month extension is available at iowadot.gov/temporary-extension. Beginning drivers or minor upgrades are available at iowadot.gov/mvd/driverslicense/under-18. If the help you need is not available online you may call 641-257-6118 to create an appointment.

• REAL ID driver’s license enforcement was extended until Oct. 1, 2021.

Rottinghaus said to pay motor vehicle renewals or property taxes, send checks to Floyd County Treasurer, 101 S. Main St. Suite 303, Charles City IA 50616-2792; or pay online at www.IowaTaxAndTags.org; or drop payment off in the drop box located in the north entryway of the Floyd County courthouse, available 24 hours a day.

If you have questions, contact the treasurer’s office at 641-257-6118 or treasurer@floydcoia.org.
The governor’s order Friday also extends existing rules for fitness centers, casinos, senior citizen centers and other businesses.

Reynolds last week encouraged residents to wear masks in public but has declined to require that they do so. She also has said local officials don’t have the authority to institute mask orders.

The governor noted she would not extend the suspension of a requirement that retailers accept empty cans and bottles for redemption of container deposits. The requirement that retailers take the containers resumed Sunday.

– The Associated Press contributed to this report.