Winona County review finds widespread value increases; board approves three assessor consent changes

Winona County commissioners on Oct. 26 reviewed the assessor—s 2025 report, which shows widespread increases in market values across residential, agricultural and commercial property types, and voted unanimously to approve three assessor consent changes that lower assessed values on three parcels, including a Winona coffee shop damaged by fire.

The assessor—s office told the board the countywide minimum adjustment was 5 percent and several local areas saw larger increases: Altura and the City of Winona rose about 7 percent for residential property; Saratoga Township rose about 17 percent; Wilson Township rose about 10 percent. Agricultural values rose roughly 10 percent for tillable land, pasture increased about 5 percent, and timber increased about 15 percent, with assessed timber sales noted at about $5,400 per acre. County staff listed top-tier tillable land increasing from about $10,000 to $11,000 per acre.

"First, no tax court appeals this year," Lindsey Brandt, an appraiser in the assessor—s office, said in presenting the report. Brandt summarized the sales-ratio process used to adjust values and noted that some neighborhoods and townships will be physically visited as part of the assessor—s five-year cycle (quintile) this year.

The board also heard that new construction in the county totaled $27,249,377 for the reporting period; the assessor—s office offered to provide a city- and township-level breakdown to local officials and civic groups. The office reported that the homestead threshold for taxes payable this year rose to $517,200 (the assessor—s presentation stated the prior threshold as $413,090). Staff said they can provide more detail to townships on request.

Board members and staff discussed safety and public notification for physical visits. Appraisers said field visits generally occur during business hours and that county vehicles or badges are used to identify staff; commissioners suggested outreach such as media notices or social posts to alert residents to where appraisers will be working.

On formal action, the board approved three assessor consent changes discussed during the presentation:

- 955 Brownell Street, St. Charles (parcel 29.0990.0131): value lowered from $686,100 to $609,800 (a reduction of $76,300) because the residence is nonconforming for its area; the reduction followed an in-person review by appraisers.

- 406 E. 14th Street, St. Charles (parcel 29.010.020520): value lowered from $153,700 to $98,400 after a walk-through found substantial interior problems, including an unusable upstairs bathroom and mold damage. Staff said the occupant is working with local rehabilitation resources.

- 451 Huff Street, Winona (parcel 324550110): the commercial building that housed a coffee shop and suffered a fire on Oct. 1, 2024, had its assessed value reduced from $224,800 to $77,200; the assessor—s office treated the building value as a flat fee with building value at $10,000 and left the land value unchanged. Staff said the property owner plans to rebuild but insurance and repair estimates are ongoing.

The board moved to accept the assessor—s consent recommendations and approved the motion by voice vote without a roll call; the tally was recorded as unanimous. Commissioners also nominated and unanimously cast a unanimous ballot to elect Marsha Ward as chair and Greg Olson as secretary for the organizational portion of the meeting.

The meeting closed after routine items and scheduling comments. The assessor—s office said it will make additional breakdowns available to townships and civic groups and that staff can provide maps or neighborhood notices for the quintile visits.