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Board tables decision on official county newspaper; asks staff for bid compliance and cost comparisons
Summary
Commissioners debated whether to designate the Winona Post or the Winona Daily News as the county's official newspaper for public notices, raised concerns about bid completeness and circulation, and voted to table the item pending staff follow‑up.
Winona County commissioners on Feb. 11 debated a contract award for the county’s legal/public‑notice newspaper and voted to table the decision while staff gathers additional information.
Commissioner Vaguely asked to pull agenda item 7.3, which would award the contract for printed public notices. Commissioners discussed differences in circulation and service between the two bidders, concerns about whether one bid contained all required elements and whether the county is bound to accept the lowest bid. County staff said some proposals are handwritten and not as self‑explanatory as others and that state rules allow selection of the ‘most reasonable’ rather than strictly the lowest bid in some circumstances; staff will confirm statutory requirements.
Commissioners requested a cost comparison tied to the county’s historical usage to show whether the difference would be small, moderate or large and asked staff to check how other local governments (city, school district) are publishing notices. Commissioner Vaguely moved to table the item to the next board agenda; Commissioner Olsen seconded and the motion carried.
Ending: Staff was asked to return with a compliance check of the Post’s bid, a bottom‑line cost comparison for newspaper options and an estimate of the budgetary impact for the county line item, to be included on the next board agenda.
