WINONA, Minn. – The newly appointed Winona County administrator, Maureen Holte, pledged herself to openness and transparency. “Be open and honest,” Holte said in a Winona Post interview, “That’s the best way.” She promised to encourage transparency throughout county agencies. Her guidelines: “Sharing information as soon as it is possible to do so.” She noted, though, that timing can be key. Be open “to the degree possible and as soon as possible.” There have been lapses when she was assistant county administrator, including when she was assistant to former County Administrator Ken Fritz. A formal complaint to the state Department of Administration concluded that her unresponsiveness to a news media inquiry violated state openness policy. Other goals she listed in the interview:
> Stabilizing the county budget to avoid spikes up and down in taxes.
> Going out in the community to improve what she described as already excellent relationships.
> Maintaining staff morale and retention through open, honest communication.
> Hiring a new personnel director to replace herself.