Winona County sets SEMSTRA preliminary levy at $130,000; approves wage-grid and overtime policy

The Winona County Board on an initial vote set a preliminary 2026 levy of $130,000 for SEMSTRA (the Southeastern Minnesota regional housing authority), after discussion and competing motions over a larger request. The board also approved a nonunion wage-grid amendment and an updated overtime and compensatory-time policy.

SEMSTRA Executive Director Buffy Brannick told the board her agency requested $144,234 for 2026, up from $126,009.27 the prior year, citing federal funding cuts and the need to reduce administrative risk. "Our request this year is for a $144,234," Brannick said, adding the agency is projecting "a shortfall of $60,000" tied to cuts in Section 8 administrative fees and reduced program capacity.

Brannick outlined that the increase would fund a range of staff changes: a CFO/CEO restructure, a community development director shared across counties, and a housing coordinator (described in her presentation alternatively as a housing navigator). She said the proposed staffing changes would raise SEMSTRA's general fund need and increase the levy request, while also supporting grant writing and compliance work.

Board members debated the request. Commissioner Begley moved to approve the full $144,234 preliminary levy; that motion failed after a recorded vote. Commissioner Olsen later moved to set the preliminary levy at $130,000; that motion passed 3-2. Brannick told the board any extra funds would be applied to SEMSTRA's housing trust fund and that SEMSTRA would continue efforts to secure state affordable-housing (SAHA) money and other matches.

On personnel and pay matters, the board approved an amendment to the county's nonunion wage grid (covering 2025'27) and adopted an updated overtime and compensatory-time policy (formal item 6.5). County staff explained the rise in overtime spending is driven largely by vacancies (for example, in dispatch and jail staffing) and by premium pay requirements for holidays; some departments budget for a baseline level of overtime. The administrator said the county "doesn't pay it unless we have to," and described efforts to analyze where overtime is structural versus episodic.

Votes at a glance

- Preliminary levy for SEMSTRA/HRA: motion to approve $144,234 (moved by Commissioner Begley; seconded by Commissioner Meyer) — outcome: failed (vote recorded 2 yes, 3 no). - Preliminary levy for SEMSTRA/HRA: motion to set levy at $130,000 (moved by Commissioner Olsen; seconded by Commissioner Meyer) — outcome: approved (vote recorded 3 yes, 2 no). - Approve updated overtime and compensatory time policy (item 6.5) (moved by Commissioner Vaguely; seconded by Commissioner Meyer) — outcome: approved (vote recorded by voice; recorded as in favor). - Approve nonunion wage grid amendment (item 6.3) (moved by Commissioner Vaguely; seconded by Commissioner Meyer) — outcome: approved (voice vote). - Consent business (multiple items listed in packet, including cooperative agreements, renewals, updated tobacco policy, donation resolution, disbursement confirmations) — outcome: approved (voice vote).

Why it matters

The levy vote affects SEMSTRA's local revenue planning and the agency's ability to staff compliance, grant-writing and housing navigation work that supports Section 8 and local rehab programs. County approval of the overtime policy and wage-grid amendment affects county payroll practices and budget forecasting; staff told the board that vacancies, holiday pay coding and mandatory minimum staffing drive much of the overtime spending.

What's next

The board set the SEMSTRA preliminary levy; final levy action will come later in the county's formal budget process. County staff said they will continue to analyze overtime drivers and bring data to the board as part of budgeting work.