WINONA, Minn. – Winona County Board members decided unanimously to forgo a pay increase, keeping their compensation at $24,200 a year plus certain employee benefits like medical insurance. The board considered but passed up these options:
> A 2.5% increase, the same as other county employees.
> A slightly lesser increase to $24,800.
> An increase to $35,400, the average of similar Minnesota counties, which, according to a staff study, ranged from $33,900 to $53,700.