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Winona County begins preliminary 2027 budget review, flags capital requests and insurance uncertainty
Summary
County staff presented a first look at draft 2027 budget sections, highlighting capital requests under review and a conservative 30% health-insurance cost assumption while an insurer RFP projects ~16%. Commissioners asked for more data before setting levy assumptions.
County Administrator Hulte opened a preliminary review of sections of the 2027 draft budget, saying the full general-ledger packet will be available in August and that staff wanted the board to see capital requests now rather than wait. "We're still working with the departments on this," Hulte said, noting staff are asking clarifying questions to determine whether departments should buy or lease large equipment such as an excavator.
Hulte called out the courthouse project as the "big item" on the capital list and said bonding is a likely financing option if the county proceeds. On personnel costs, the packet used a conservative 30% health-insurance increase assumption for 2027 while the insurer's RFP projection was nearer 16 percent. An insurance representative said, "16% is what they project," while staff said RFP results should be available by late August.
Commissioners pressed for more concrete figures before final levy decisions. One commissioner asked, "What's our rough cost of health insurance for the county?" Staff said that exact totals were not included in the packet and that updated numbers will be provided at the August 11 meeting. Hulte said the administration intends to return in August with confirmed estimates rather than broad statements.
The board did not take action on budget items at the meeting; staff plans to bring a fuller packet including the general ledger to the next meeting in August.
