Rutland has been a bit quieter and less busy the past two weeks or so. Meetings and events have been cancelled and restaurants and bars have cut back hours or closed — and school is out. Yes, the Sargent Central students had a nearly a two-week ‘spring break’ but are not returning to the classroom for now. Classes are expected to resume, online, on April 1 and will continue until the end of the school year. The busyness has slowed down but that doesn’t mean that this rural area is closed. It has been fun heading to Forman to window peak at the Four Seasons Manor and Villas to wave and visit with the elderly through the open window. Then, ordering food to be delivered to your car to take home for a family sit-down meal. We can keep in touch with people and family in other states and countries so much easier than was possible during the flu pandemic of 1918 which infected over a third of the world’s population and ending the lives of 20-50 million people. The community has stepped up with making grocery runs and dropping off necessities for families. The Sargent County Courthouse may be closed but families are still able to get supplies from the Food Shelf. Where there is a will, there is a way.

Census 2020 questionnaires have been sent to many households this month. Completing and submitting the census is extremely important. The census results help determine how billions of dollars in federal funding flow to the state, Counties and Cities each year. It helps shape the community. Get your census filled out as soon as possible. The Sargent County Complete County Committee has created a census challenge for Rutland, Forman, Milnor and Gwinner starting April 1 – July 30, 2020. The goal is to reach 100% participation Rutland – or at least beat the other towns participation result. The losing City Mayors will have to promote the winning cities. It’s even more important to get your Census questionnaire submitted! You can check Rutland’s progress at https://2020census.gov/en/response-rates.html

The City of Rutland received the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Certificate of Achievement. The SDWA was passed by Congress in 1974 to protect public health by regulating the nation’s public drinking (potable) water supplies. Over the years, there have been several changes to the Act that have made it more challenging to maintain compliance. The ND Department of Environmental Quality issues the Certificate of Achievement as one way to recognize the public water systems that satisfied all applicable requirements during the previous calendar year. In 2019, the City complied with all applicable SDWA requirements. The City wishes to commend its water system staff – Ronnie Narum and Roger Pearson – for a job well done!

The deadline for filing for election is Monday, April 6, 4 p.m. Candidates must complete and obtain no less than nine signatures on the Certificate of Nomination form. The positions that will be on the June ballot for Rutland include Mayor, City Council (2), and Park Board (3). Candidates may complete the form and then send it electronically for others to sign and send back an electronic copy. Once the candidate has received the required number of signatures from qualified voters within the City, they can transmit the form and other required documents to the City Auditor by email at rutlandnd@drtel.net or by dropping it off in the bill pay slot at City Hall. Forms are available online

The Rutland City Council will meet as the Board of Equalization on Monday, April 6, at 5 p.m. The County Assessor will join by phone.  As the COVID-19 situation in North Dakota continues, the State Tax Commissioner is recommending allowing alternate methods to hear individual property tax appeals. Appeals can be submitted in writing or electronically and, for Rutland, appeals should be submitted to the Sargent County Assessor, Denise Ferderer, no later than noon Monday, April 6, 2020. That will allow the Council to hear the appeal at the meeting and to document such appeals in the board of equalization minutes. By limiting the need for appellants to appear in person, we help minimize risks and provide an alternative to high-risk and impacted populations seeking to limit public exposure.

Warmer weather is predicted for the coming week and that should provide more incentive to get outdoors for a walk, take the kids and the dog and head to the park or take a drive. Farmers have been fertilizing the fields in preparation for spring planting. There is light at the end of the tunnel! 

The Nordland Lutheran and Trinity Lutheran Youth Groups’ Palm Sunday dinner has been cancelled but they provide they will have the chance to hold a dinner this spring or early summer.

Keep up to date on what is and is not happening by following Rutland on our Facebook page and also check the City of Rutland website at www.rutlandnd.com. Stay safe and keep healthy!