The Winona County Board approved the county’s 2026 budget and set the property‑tax levy after prolonged discussion over spending priorities, statutory mandates and levy impact on residents.

Commissioner Meyer moved to adopt the 2026 budget as presented in the packet. Commissioners debated line items—including professional services (noted in the discussion as roughly $5.99 million across many line items), supply accounts (discussed around $543,357), health‑insurance and salary increases—and the operational impacts of unfunded state mandates. Commissioner Ward urged deeper line‑item scrutiny and questioned whether staff should proceed with wage increases without more recent performance evaluations. Staff said administration will provide a clearer break‑out of mandated versus discretionary services in January to inform the 2027 budgeting process.

On the levy, Commissioner Elsing moved to set a 3.5% levy; that motion failed. Commissioner Begley then moved to adopt the levy figure included in the agenda packet (noted in the packet as 10.96 percent). After debate the board approved the packet levy. Commissioners recorded opposing votes during each motion; the budget adoption was recorded on the transcript as passing by a 3‑2 voice vote. Commissioners directed staff to return in early 2026 with detailed analyses of mandatory services, capital‑project approvals and a recommended process for presenting capital items before implementation.