WINONA, Minn. – The Winona County Board voted 3-2 to increase property taxes to raise 10.9% more revenue. Most of the increase is for payroll and a 22% increase in health benefits. There also is money for a new courthouse roof. The vote broke down into the city versus rural contingents. The Winona commissioners outnumbered the fiscal conservatives from land-rich and cash-poor rural townships. As approved at $82.8 million, the 2026 budget’s10.9% increase has been trimmed back from an originally proposed 12.5% increase. How they voted:
For tax increase
> Chis Meyer (District 1, Winona East Side)
> Greg Olson (District 4, Central Winona)
> Dwayne Voegeli (District 2, Winona West Side and Goodview)
Against
> Ron Elsing (District 3 St. Charles, Stockton, Altura, Elba, Minneiska, western townships_
> Marcia Ward (District 5, Lewiston, Dakota, LaCrescent, southern townships)