Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the State Flag topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Winona County commissioners open review of Minnesota flag change after public concern about House File 5077
Summary
Commissioners heard public comment and requested legal research after a resident raised House File 5077, a stalled bill described as tying state funding to flag displays. Some commissioners urged following the state statute; others said any change should be voter-approved or delayed pending legislative outcomes.
The Winona County Board of Commissioners on a general-agenda item discussed whether the county should replace displays of the older Minnesota state flag with the design now codified in state law and requested legal staff to clarify any statutory mandate.
Chassity Saraki, a Winona resident during public comment, urged the board to pass a county resolution asking the state to submit a flag change to a voter referendum and said she believed House File 5077 would restrict state funding for jurisdictions that continue to fly the old flag. "It's less about the design. It's more about lack of voter input," Saraki said.
Commissioner Olson said he had asked the county attorney to research whether Minn. Stat. 1.141 — which identifies the current official state flag design — creates a duty for counties to display the new design. "I asked the question, is that a mandate?" Olson said, asking legal staff for guidance before the board acts.
Other commissioners disagreed about urgency. Commissioner Ward said the matter should be researched but ranked it a low priority amid other legislative and budget issues. Several commissioners described the state-level bill as stalled or unlikely to advance this session; Commissioner Olson said some jurisdictions have chosen to keep the old flag and have passed resolutions to that effect.
Commissioner Meyer read aloud and the board approved a separate proclamation designating May 13, 2026 as Winona County Law Enforcement Memorial Day during the same meeting; the memorial event was scheduled for 1 p.m. the following day.
Next steps from the flag discussion included county attorneys researching the legal effect of Minn. Stat. 1.141 and staff reporting back on how other cities and counties have handled the change. No formal county policy change was enacted at the meeting.
