Morning. >> Good morning. >> Beautiful, beautiful November 12th day. >> We call our meeting to order with public comment. Anybody in the audience or online wishing to address the Winona County Board? We have a two-minute per
speaker. Uh you need to come to the podium, please. And um state your name and address. And sir, you may be lost. You're wearing a Nebraska Husker shirt. I am an avid Minnesota >> way taking heat.
>> I am an avid Minnesota golfer fan. So I >> I actually have a degree from there too. But anyway, uh thank you ma'am. Uh my name is Mike Keefe. I'm from do. I um have sent a number of letters to Meen here. She's been kind enough to take
them. Nice to work with. I've also sent all of you an additional uh one, two, three letters and the fourth letter um also I don't know if you received those. Nobody responded.
There's actually four. So 13 letters to Marine and those four together makes from me alone 17. My daughter, the victim in this case, sent you one and my understanding is she
certified mail one to chair a ward. Uh >> Heidi should have emailed it. >> Anyway, uh is that true? You've received that folks? If you haven't received them, please let me know and I'll send everything to Marie. >> Okay. Uh my name is Mike Keefe. I'm a
retired Minneapolis police officer. I'm a former uh a retired commander and I'm the author of the book Minneapolis Burning which is about police corruption. That I'm going to just touch on that
just for a few minutes so you know who I am and where I'm coming from. That book um was vetted by the United States Attorney General Merrick Garland and the former FBI director Christopher Ray. Everything in that book is the truth.
There's pseudonyms in there to protect uh some of the people, but the book is the truth. It's about corruption, and I exposed it. And ironically, just within the last month, I've had conf I've sent a letter to
the acting FBI director, Patel, asking him to toll the statutes on those crimes outlined in that book. when you told the statutes that means you can reopen it. Whether or not he'll do that, I don't know. But that brings me to this meeting
right here. So that's who I am. >> And I'm I'm sorry, Mike. We we do allocate two minutes. So do you have >> How many minutes, ma'am? >> Just just two and you with that said, I'm asking you based on the letters I've sent you. I'm asking you to relieve from duty
the county sheriff, his chief deputy, the officer involved, the county attorney, and the county the two county attorneys involved in this criminal misconduct that I've outlined to you. I'm I would prefer you send it directly
to the FBI and the US attorney's office in Minneapolis, but if you so choose to send it to um a local county attorney, I'm fine with that, but not the uh Filillmore County Attorney's Office as I outlined in one of my letters. There's a conflict
of interest there. Uh or the BCA, but what I've given you is criminal misconduct in no uncertain terms in those 17 letters. And my experience with police corruption is people often times in positions of
power. Not saying any of you folks would do this, but they uh as I wrote in, they play the obtuse scheme. That means playing dumb. Oh, I didn't know. I didn't understand. I've done everything I can to explain it to I assume you people don't have uh a
degree or are not lawyers or former law enforcement officers. So that was the reason I laid it all out like that. It's out of respect. Not trying to be arrogant or in any way disrespectful, but I've been down this road before. So
I don't want anyone coming back and saying, "Well, I didn't know. I didn't understand." >> Okay? And I submit it to you with the deepest respect. And um I expect you to turn this over to an outside law
enforcement agency. Just in last week's news up in the Twin Cities, a Henipin County deputy was arrested for stealing and he far they've immediately farmed it out to an outside law enforcement agency. What I have given you belongs
outside of Winona County for your own benefit. >> All right. >> Thank you very much. I appreciate you allowing me to speak today and uh again I submit this to you with the deepest respect. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Is thank you. >> Is there anyone else in the audience wishing to address Winona County Board? >> Morning. >> Good morning. Todd Syler, HR director, I'd like to introduce Jill Chaffy as the new director of Health and Human
Services. She started a week ago. Jill, I'll let you kind of talk about yourself. >> Thank you, Todd. Um, I'm really pleased to be here. Uh, my husband and I have moved to Winona and we uh have history here in terms of this is where we met
initially. He went to Winona State and worked here for several years and we always wanted things to come back full circle. Uh I have extensive experience in both the public and private sector and I hope that I can bring Winona
County uh the types of things that are challenging us today and ways to provide solutions for some of those. I'm always happy to entertain questions. So thank you for having me and it's a pleasure to be here. >> Welcome. Thanks for coming. >> Thank you very much.
>> Matia Magcguire. uh owner of Common Ground Treatment Center and Sober Housing located at 7:30 West Broadway Avenue, Winona. Um I hope we all sound like a broken record today looking um behind me. Um the work done here by treatment court CJCC and the RAP program
and their dedicated staff is not just a service. It is a critical investment in the public safety and human potential. The positive impact is undeniable for clients who come to us with court-mandated obligations or as an alternative to incarceration, treatment,
and the stability of supportive housing offer a path to true recovery. All of the programs I mentioned are designed to improve long-term outcomes and significantly reduce relapse rates by addressing underlying issues like trauma and mental health by using intensive
care coordination and other interventions. This comprehensive approach is what allows CL individuals to successfully reintegrate into the community as productive contributing citizens. We retain this expertise by providing sustainable living wages and
funding to those staff and the programs on the front lines. Now consider the consequences of reduced funding. A failure to invest here is not a saving. It is a catastrophic cost shift. Cutting funds means diminishing the continuum of care and making long-term stability
almost impossible which drives a significant surge in relapse. This in turns leads to escalating societal costs through higher health care expenditures, increased law enforcement involvement and a growing burden on our criminal justice system. When we support treatment courts and other related
programs, we are not just funding a program. We are building a healthier, more resil resilient and safer community for everyone. Thank you. >> Is there anyone else wishing to address the Winona County Board?
>> Hi, I'm Tara Brown. I'm a graduate of Winona County Treatment Court. Um I'm currently Oh, and I'm from Winona. Um I am currently 5 years clean and um I would not have been able to do that without treatment court. It like
reunited me with my kids, my family. Um, you know, I'm now a productive member of society. I'm also part of CJCC. The RAP program helped me and, you know, I I watch it help many of my friends that are going through, you know, just
getting into recovery. Um, and I tried to be, you know, go through regular treat uh treatments and stuff and it never worked for me. Um, so up until I was offered treatment court, I was still struggling. I would get out of jail or get out of treatment and just relapse
right away. Um, without the support of treatment court, their staff, the other members on the on that um, you know, on the in the in treatment court at the same time as me, I don't think I would have been able to succeed. And I think by looking at people like me and, you
know, other success stories, it just shows how much of an impact this has because, um, I was out there committing crimes. I was in and out of jail. you know, I just couldn't couldn't get myself together. So, um I really think it would be catastrophic to people like
me if um the any of these programs were cut. So, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Hey, is there anyone else wishing to address? >> My name is Britney Kilmus and I'm from Winona. Also a um treatment court
person. I went through the treatment court program. I'm a success story. I am over 12 years clean going on 13 right now and it is all because of the treatment court program. I was also a mess and I was a havoc to our society. I was out doing crimes and everything
beyond the sun. Um I am not the only one in my family who's been success story either. I also have another one here in the room who is also a success because of this program. But we for the first times are able to live a life because of this program. It's literally saved me. Um, I think it's a huge part of our community that is necessary because we
have a lot of addiction and without this program, it's like kind of like a last hope for a lot of people and it is saving lives. So, I hope you guys don't cut the budget for this because we really need it. I mean, it speaks for itself. We we have lot of success from this program. Thank you. That's all I
want to say. Thank you. Thank you. My name is Jacob Milan. I'm a Winona County resident, born and raised. Um I'm also a graduate from the Winona County Treatment Court programs. Uh you know, um treatment court saved my life, but but it went it went beyond that. It it
changed my life. Um you know, I'd probably held up residence in the Winona County Jail for longer than I have any other address here in Winona. So, um, you know, that program, it really, it stepped up. You know, it showed me support. It showed me a lot of different things that I didn't have going into
that program. Um, you know, I was just a repeat offender kind of trying to get my life together. Just really didn't know how to do it. Um, with the support from them guys, you know, they really got me into doing a lot of different things. You know, just the leadership from that team showed me how I can make an impact
in the community. got me involved with the Foxhole Discovery, which I believe is also here today. Um, I'm a sitting board member on that and um, you know, do a lot of different things for the community and none of that is is possible without treatment court. You know, they don't just for me, they
didn't just help me get through the addiction, they help me work through some of the other problems in my life. And uh, you know, they don't just um help help people with with the disease, they also create leaders in the community. And um I think it would be,
you know, it it would be it would make a huge impact if that went away. So I I really I really would like to see that support continue. And um thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Elizabeth planning on doing this. I'm Ann
Hennessy. Um Jacob and Britney are related. Jacob's my son. Britney's my niece. This program Um, I have children with addiction. Um, I come from a long family of addiction. This program is breaking
cycles in families. I know my three children are all sober and clean. Um, not because of me, because of this program. And it would be a true devastation to this community to stop a
program like this. They have um their children are clean because of it. They are doing so well and it would just be heartbreaking to me and I know a lot of families who have
tried to work through the the alcoholism and the drug addictions that we couldn't stop. But because of this program, it has stopped and it will continue in their children and in the rest of our
families that see what a great influence these people have had on them. And it would be heartbreaking for it to stop. So I pray that you will continue this program. Thank you. >> I'm sorry. We need your your full name
and address. >> Annne Hennessy. I am a resident of Winona. Yes. >> Okay. It's for the public record. Thank you. >> Oh, sure. >> Thank you. >> Good morning. My name is Maryanne Abendroth and I'm a professor of nursing
um here at Winona State University. Um and uh I'm a resident of an Alaska, Wisconsin. I'm here to say a few words about the benefits of treatment court. Students in my public health nursing course have had the opportunity to observe the treatment court process and
learn how mental health, addiction, and social determinance of health intersect with the justice system. For example, they see how treatment plans integrate counseling and community support. Students see how these programs reduce recidivism, improve family stability,
and enhance public health and community safety. Students see that these programs play a vital role in communities because they address the root cause of many criminal behaviors through treatment rather than punishment. One student has told me that observing
treatment court has been the one of the most amazing, impactful experiences she's had. She said, "Reading stories about sobriety and seeing it on TV is one thing, but to hear participants actually talk about their successes and
challenges and to see the support is a whole different experience. The treatment court program promotes community safety and has an impact on the health care system because it reduces the strain on emergency services and connects participants to muchneeded
health services that they otherwise may never receive. The treatment court program can improve the health of participants through rehabilitation and in turn benefit your entire community. I ask you to continue your support of the
Winona County treatment program. Thank you. >> Hi, my name is Jacqueline Bibal. I'm a resident of Winona. Um, I am currently a phase four participant of the Winona County Treatment Court and um, it's been
life-changing. Um, sorry. Uh, so >> I don't remember the first I don't remember the last time that I've been over a year and a half sober since I was 16. Um, the the bonds and the commitment that Winona County Treatment Court has
put in and the effort that they have is unimaginable. It's life-changing. I'm now I'm I'm now in college for engineering and making a life for myself. So, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Good morning. My name is Katherine Sublet. I'm a Winona resident and I am the executive director of Let's Erase the Stigma. I've been volunteering at Treatment Court for over eight years and I can't say enough about how this funding is needed. What we do at my
organization is we help people get their criminal background sealed. And I receive a lot of the people that do the work in the treatment program. And we just had a young man who had 19 offenses expuned and he's going on to be a
transport officer in Winona County. So I think those funds were are well spent and welld deserved. What the treatment court does is it restores hope. It reunites family and it actually brings together community and I think it takes a village and we all need this. Thank
you. >> We've uh just one minute sir we uh with the permission of the board we have exceeded the time we all lot for this function. Does the board want to continue hearing? >> Yeah. >> Okay. All right. Please come back. Please. I just needed >> I needed it to be a group decision. I'm
a graduate of Winona Treatment Court and uh I got I graduated treatment court I don't know a few years ago. >> Your name and >> my name is Kirk Peterson and I'm a Winona resident. Yeah, I graduated from treatment court I think it was a few years ago but um I've been sober almost
four years about two weeks shy of four years but um I'm saying is the cost of of what um in my act of addiction what I cost the community I got to believe was astronomical. You know what I mean? running around trying to keep my uh fix
going on a daily basis and in and out of jails and prisons. Um I I you know it's the only program that I believe that would have worked for me. And um today I I I work full-time and um uh you know the expenses that I acquired in my um
years of uh running around doing these uh crazy things. I um was like $20,000 and I'm in the process of getting all that paid off, you know, through um the jail time, the the the probation fees and all that stuff. So, if it wasn't for treatment court, I don't think it would
be um I mean, I don't even think I would be alive today if it wasn't for treatment court. I I see it uh you know, with people that have graduated and not all make it, but some do. and it's the best program that that I have seen um because I've been in a few and it's the only program that work would have worked
for me and that's all I got. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Kevin Goldie Winona County resident. Um so I I actually seen you guys all here a few months ago. Um and uh you know spoke on treatment court at that point. Um and
and um you know I heard I I heard about this from Karen about possible funding cuts and uh let's just say you know I was in trouble my whole adult life. I mean years and years. Um I cost this county a lot of
money. I can guarantee it was a lot more than what it cost for me to go through treatment court wrap program and everything else. Um, you know, it's it's please don't cut it. It's it it's made a huge difference in my life, my family's
lives, everybody else's lives. It's um yeah, it's a big thing, I guess. Uh best way I could put it is uh you know, is the money it'll get spent one way or another. Either jail, you know, people getting in trouble or helping people to
make their lives better. So, thank you for your time. >> Thank you. Hello, I am Dr. Carrie Travis and I am a resident of Gailsville, Wisconsin, but I grew up on a farm in southeastern Minnesota. And I've been practicing um
as an educator, as a public health nurse, um and a nurse who has assisted people in recovery for about 30 years. and um I'm currently working as a college administrator so I understand the tight budgeting process and how
difficult it can be. Um I wanted to just highlight the fact that I do consider treatment court to be a cost-saving measure for our community in the way that it reduces the load on law enforcement. Um it is very true what um
professor Abendroth said regarding emergency room emergency department visits and that is a high cost if you are not intervening with um with people who are struggling with substance use. Um, and specifically what I have learned
through watching treatment court, um, that I would like to just really highlight is the ability to join, um, children back with their parents, keeping them out of the foster care system and and in some ways, I believe,
preventing them from going down the same path because some of the behaviors are learned behaviors. And so we can we can become people who are in recovery and we can pass that on to our children. And I think that is a huge cost-saving measure
that I wanted to highlight. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. Is there anyone else? >> Good morning. >> Good morning. >> Josh Jacobson. Um sixyear Winona resident. Um, I currently work as an
alcohol and drug counselor for Minnesota Daltton Teen Challenge. I run the community outpatient program within the Winona County Jail. Prior to that, I worked for Common Ground um, in town here as a peer recovery specialist. And so, you've heard today from a lot of individuals who have been through
treatment court themselves, but I want to talk to you today a little bit about uh, the effect that treatment court has on the community as a whole outside of just the individuals that go through it. um working as a peer recovery specialist at Common Ground. I would often I would take people to get acclimated back into
the community, whether it's um job searching, um getting a driver's license back, and it's or attending recovery based um social events. And treatment court um was always kind enough to include not just treatment court participants, but the whole recovery
community. And and what I witnessed was a lot of times these this was these events were their first uh interaction with the community since they've been in recovery. And so many times just being invited to that and included in how welcoming the whole treatment court team
and the participants were to them uh made a huge difference. Some of these events um included walking in the parade, the steamboat days, the Goodview Days parades, cookouts, kickball events, roller skating, campfires, among other things. And these events, I mean,
they're so amazing. You see not just the participants, but like I said, others in the recovery community, sons, daughters, moms, dads. It's a whole um family event. And these events aren't about roasting s'mores, throwing out candy, or
who wins the games, although that's all fun, but these events are about teaching people and their loved ones a new way of life that includes love and laughter. Um, you see, I mentioned how treatment court helps the community, but really it's a treatment court family that they've
creating. And if school wasn't going on right now, I know you'd see children behind you, and it's just so awesome to see that. Um, and it's a family whose children will be all of our neighbors someday, but will also grow up knowing what a life of recovery looks like,
thanks in part to what treatment court has done. I also I'm out of time. I'll quit there. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. >> Hey, is there anyone else wishing to address the door? >> Oh, our time's up.
>> Good morning, Ron. >> Good morning. Good morning. Ron Gandrew, Winona County Sheriff, resident of St. Charles. I just want to voice my support for drug court and all the other programs that Winona County has. Uh it's helping keep the numbers in the jail
down. I I love it when I see the numbers uh down. We get very um disappointed when we keep arresting the same people over and over again. And as somebody already said, we like to see that cycle broken. Uh we have a lot of programs in Winona County. A few years ago, before
we were able to open the new jail, we had to close all our programs. And since we have the new jail and we have the uh the different programs we have, we got 17 different programs in the jail. And I think they all helped too uh for recidivism, but the programs that we
started with um with drug court. I was supportive of that when we first thought about it. I'm still supportive of it. The sheriff's office um does their their part in uh uh keeping people on the right track. I would say we do the
curfew checks when uh when drug court asks us to. We've literally go out to the house and make sure they're home when they're supposed to be and we check on them more than once sometimes. Uh you know, in the past, we've done the uh the urine tests on them to make sure that they're clean. So, I just want to say I
I support uh the drug court program, the RAP program, and I'd really like to see us fill um Katie spot that's open now for the jail social worker. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Let me talk to
discretion. Two minutes. >> Two minutes. Would you all like this is for department head honor to a individual if Karen Haidider would come up. Um, and I'll pass this around. >> Thank you.
>> This was not planned on the same or to be on the same day as we're uh trying to explain everybody's support of our programs. Um, I had meant to do this and then Odd Sadler, our personnel director, had also mentioned to me that it's
always good to honor exceptional employees of Winona County and um, Karen Haidider is one of them. Karen is our treatment court coordinator and um, she was awarded I've just passed
around the um, got to look at it. get nervous talking about Karen. It's the Karen and Karen show. We always joke about that. Our names are spelled almost the same. >> Yes. >> C and K. But Karen um
and I would like to read because it's usually read when I start getting nervous. Um, I don't get nervous in court. I get nervous in court. >> We're worse than that. >> And part of it is I'm so proud of the
work that Karen and all of the people back here, the participants in treatment court, our families. Thank you for being here. Um, the supporters of treatment court, our team members, many of them are here. Um, but I want to focus on
Karen because she is the heart of treatment court, but she's also the heart of our rap program. She works in that. She works in CJCC um and uh among many of us who devote time u to these programs. So, let me
read what I said about Karen in my uh letter to support her nomination for this award. It is my honor and privilege to provide this letter of support for Karen Haidider's nomination for a 2025 MCA
award. I've known Karen for over eight years when she started as the coordinator for the treatment court of Winona County. In my capacities as a Winona County Attorney, as chair of the Wanana County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, and as founding member of the treatment court team, I
have had the opportunity to work with Karen, not only as her supervisor, but also as a colleague. Karen is an extraordinary professional, an individual who goes above and beyond in her work, not just as the coordinator. She's an active and valuable member of
various CJCC committees as well as her leadership role on the Alliance for Substance Abuse and Prevention and her work with our Winona County Re-entry and Assistance Program uh RAP plus just to name a few. Karen and I
share a common purpose to implement criminal justice programs to help individuals break the cycle of criminal justice involvement and help them re-enter the community with support to succeed in life. Karen approaches her work with integrity, respect for, and
commitment to all those she works with, whether they be treatment court participants and alumni, work colleagues, the court, and our community members. Awarding Karen a 2025 MCA award would recognize an an individual who is
exceptional in her work and her work rellated volunteer activities. She is creative and collaborative in her work. She has a strong intellectual curiosity that helps her rise above the mundane. She does all this in a thoughtful and unpretentious manner while getting the
work done. And that's why I endorsed her and uh she won. Okay. So, I'll let Karen just speak to this, but I, you know, I just want you to know what kind of folks we have in Winona County on your staff. These are your employees. So, thank you.
Thank you so much. >> Thank you for that. Um, and nice to see all of you today. So, yes, I do have some remarks. Karen Haidider, treatment court coordinator for almost nine years, county employee for over five. Um, so during my last presentation to the county board, Commissioner Ward uh
requested some treatment course statistics. So that's what I'm bringing you today. Um, different than what others are sharing. So here we go. Graduation rates for fiscal year 25. The graduation rate for the entire state of Minnesota was 59%. The national
graduation rate is 58%. Our current graduation rate here in Winona County is 63% exceeding both Minnesota and national averages. Compared to other treatment courts across the state, again in fiscal year 25, we're in the 80th percentile for
success as it relates to retention and completion of the program. Recidivism for fiscal year 23, the recidivism rate, this means felony and gross misdemeanor convictions one year post exit from the program. So that rate 10.7%.
Therefore, nearly 90% of those who have graduated from treatment courts are not reaffending our communities. Soy sobriety uh in our programs is defined as passing more drug tests in the last phase of the program as compared to the
first phase of the program. Collectively as a state, the improved sobriety rate for this year, fiscal year 25 over 75% 75.3%. Just a couple more cost savings. Treatment courts nationwide um save an
average of $6,000 for every person they serve. Um cost-saving figures um at the state of Minnesota are currently being researched. Our evaluation specialists at the state points us to a Georgia study um that was just conducted in 25 fiscal year 25. For every $1 invested,
$660 was saved. for every graduate $25,921 in economic benefit. Last but not least, I have to talk about public health. In 2021, the BJA research study showed that communities who implemented a treatment
court saw a 45% decrease in overdose death rates. This impacts our entire county. We are in a public health crisis and treatment courts significantly combat against losing lives to addiction. So, I just wanted to give that to you. Um, thank you so much for
your support of my position of treatment court, CJCC, RAP Plus, restorative justice. All of these programs are melded together so much and um, we need one another to serve the community. Well, >> can you be sure and give >> be sure and give those statistics
because I couldn't down fast enough to gonna keep up with that. >> Yeah, I'll give it to question. What is adventure race? So, you saw the Fillmore County Journal. >> I read your deal. It's right here. I've read this quick. >> Oh, it's in there, too. It was in the journal, too. So, look at the Fillmore County Journal. Adventure racing. It's
like a triathlon except for >> You did that. Yeah. But I thought it was laid out. So, I just saw >> Yep. So, a triathlon, you understand what that concept, I'm sure. Um, however, adventure racing racing uses the body and the mind. You're navigating. So, you have a compass, you
don't get to use your phone, and you go out. Uh, I did a 5-hour race uh this past July. You have a compass and you navigate and you find your way through the forest in in Wisconsin is where I did this. And you have to paddle, you have to bike, and you have to hike, but
you need to do it all without knowing your way. And you find checkpoints along the way and that's how you succeed. Check it out. Remember, she lives down she lives down in the river valley. We all need hobbies. You're right. Know how to get out of there on a daily basis. Thank you.
>> Thank you. And congratulations. Uh but it didn't come with any monetary reward. It's just a plaque you can hang on the wall. >> Okay. All right. Because um somebody does some big golf thing.
Now what does that money >> restorative justice? >> Okay. Yeah. And that raised I in donations I saw that raised a chunk of change. I'm not a golfer, but and I do have a little angst about golfing to raise money for criminal justice, but I give it >> I don't think any of these people do any of their work for money. >> No.
>> Yeah. >> It's >> But I mean, we'll take we'll take any kind of contributions and donations and and we do take money. We do take donations and contributions and money. >> Good morning. >> Hi. Good morning. Gwen Herbert, executive director of CJCC and oversee
the RA plus program um and a city of Winona resident. Um I just want to thank also um everyone coming here today to uh support Treatment Court, tell their stories, uh share their successes. Um grateful to hear all of that and I hope
that uh you are all too. Um I just wanted to weave the thread through um programs that we're talking about this morning. So uh what RAP Plus does um can be akin to what treatment court does uh for all other charges other than f felony drug charges, which is what
treatment court focuses on. Um and then anyone involved in treatment court also can qualify for rep plus. But the idea of being able to support people to really figure out root causes um of uh their justice involvement and help them get them stabilized and on their feet and ultimately as has been underscored
many times here um provide that cost savings. Um if if funding to these programs is cut, it will be a cost shift. Um but also I want to bring the thread back to CJCC treatment court RAP plus um Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention among others would not have
been possible without CJCC the capacity building that it was able to bring the the grant funding that it was able to bring. Um so I know that that that hasn't been as much of the focus here but I just wanted to bring up folk there. Thank you very much for your consideration. >> Thanks.
>> Okay. Is there anybody I didn't see anybody online? >> Okay, >> quick. >> You're Yes, please. >> Um, so I already sent an email to everybody, so hopefully you got that this morning. I'm Bill Mo. I live in Winona. I'm also a probation officer assigned to treatment court. Um, and I
guess for selfish reasons, if nothing else, I'm here to talk about how the programs that we are talking about and represented by the people behind me, uh, have impacted my career so substantially that it's been the one of the most rewarding careers that a person could
have, I think, if this is the field that you're going into. So, I just wanted to really stress that that all these people back here have made that happen. Um, and I'm still here working for Winona County because of them. Um, and hopefully doing a good job for you guys. So, I just
wanted to say that you got my email and I think everybody else spoke really well about the things that I wanted to say in your emails. That's what I got. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. >> Okay. Um, thank you very much. Um, we appreciate you taking your time to come
and speak to us. Uh we'll move on in our uh meeting agenda or Chris do people want to leave? We can go ahead. Feel free to leave. >> We're just getting to the good part. >> Yeah, we know your intention. >> Thank you everybody. >> Thank you K.
>> We know it saves money, but it also costs a lot of money as everything does in government. >> Thank you everybody. >> Thank you everybody. >> We got to figure it out. >> Thank you. >> Thank you guys. >> Somebody got the memo. They make stronger. That's one of my wife's favorite favorite sweatshirts.
>> I love this. >> That's wonderful. >> One of my sons gave it to me. >> Thank you. >> Okay. All right. Uh moving on in our uh agenda item three, approve of the county board meeting minutes from October 28, 2025.
>> I'll second that. We have a motion by Commissioner Elling, second by Commissioner Vagley um to approve the meeting minutes October 28th. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. >> Post nay. Approved. Um item number four, acknowledge receipt of approved
committee meeting minutes. Uh 4.1 is the Health and Human Service Advisory Committee September 16, 2025. 4.2 is the Planning Commission September 18th, 2025. And 4.3 is the board of adjustments September 18th, 2025. So moved again.
>> I'll second that. >> Okay. We have a motion by Commissioner Eline, seconded by Commissioner Vagley to accept the acknowledged receipt approved committee meeting minutes. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. >> Post nay. Approved. Uh just one note. Um
I know we we're changing our Zoom things and our meeting things. So and I had difficulty getting hooked up in the planning committee. I was out of town. I did finally make it through. Um, I'm hoping it is getting some of those little bugs worked out and I don't know if it's something that that needs to be
installed on our own uh computer system. >> Did you do connect by phone or Zoom or your computer >> computer because they have to see >> you know so I had to have the the video but anyway I did finally get through it's noted in the meeting minutes I joined late but it it so we need it to
be aware of maybe there's something that needs to be done is is my thought. Thank you. All right. Um, item five, consent, comments, and approval of the agenda. Um, Miss Sonan, >> I have nothing. >> Okay, Mr. Commissioner, >> uh, three quick things at the end of the
meeting, please. >> Okay, Mr. >> Comment. >> Commissioner Olsen? >> Nothing. >> Commissioner Meyer? >> Nothing, Madam Chair. >> Okay. And attorney or I'll give you
another degree. >> Okay, then. I didn't see that plaque on your wall. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Nothing, Madam Chair. >> Administrator Holy. Okay. And I would reserve the right if something doesn't get covered again. Okay. So, with that, um, the consent business is it's there.
>> I'll move to approve the agenda. >> Second. >> Second. >> We have a motion by Commissioner Meyer, second by Commissioner Olsen to approve the agenda as presented. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. >> Oppos? Nay. Okay. Agenda approved. Miss Holty, would you read the consent
business into the record, please? >> Absolutely. 6.1 Approve conditional use permit for Peter and Lisa Wingert. 6.2 Approve advertisement for 2026 official newspaper. 6.3 Approve 2026 county board
schedule. 6.4 Approve resolution establishing 2026 minimum salary for elected physicians. 6.5 approve purchase of service agreement with National Alliance on Mental Illness Southeast Minnesota. Excuse me.
6.6 Approve renewal of purchase of service and business associate agreements with partners and excellence for children's mental health targeted case management. 6.7 approve amendment of grant contract for child and teen checkups administrative services to
medical assistance eligible children birth through 20 years of age 6.8 approve resolution resolution and agreement 1061127 for state local bridge replacement program grant for CASA 26 bridges 6.9
award bid for CASA 12 grading and batuminous resurfacing project for Excuse me. Daycourt companies 6.10 acknowledge receipt of monthly finance and budget update for September 2025.
6.11 confirm payment of dispersements. >> I'll move to approve the consent business as it was read. >> Second. >> Motion by Commissioner Meyer, second by Commissioner Olsen to approve the consent business is read. Any discussion? >> Uh, just a point. Pardon me.
>> I was going to make a point. Yes. It >> was good to see We have another construction company. >> Yes. >> That >> first time sounds like >> first time. And you know, it's always good to have comparative bids and it's
that's good to see. We need more of that. >> Yes. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. That is good. Good to see. Um I just do find it almost uh entertaining that 6.4 approved resolution establishing 2026 minimum salary for electeds. I hope the other
electeds take that as a duly noted um statute um and maybe work their requests off of that start at that base and yeah start at that base and justify and work your way up because I know you'll be coming and and approaching us soon. Um it I thought it was I
>> it brought a smile and a laugh to me to see that amount there where it came from or how long it is anyway. Okay, we have a motion >> where you can get it. Is that what you're telling us? >> You taking it where you can get it? >> Yeah, your laugh. >> Well, yeah. Yes. Yeah. Cheap cheap thrills. Um you don't laugh very often
in government. It's pretty everything we do is pretty serious. So when you get to laugh, you got to enjoy the laughter. Um we have a motion and a second to approve the consent. Business is read. Any further discussion? All those in favor say I. Post nay. Approved. All right. Uh moving into seven general business. Um
7.1 received presentation from Big Brother Big Sisters. And I see some of the staff is here. morning. >> Yeah, it's been Yeah, >> that that's that's history. >> Haven't changed. >> I Oh, thank you.
>> Um I am Jeannie Meyer, the executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Seven Rivers Region. Um as some of you know I used to work here years ago um with a collaborative mental health um family service collaborative mental health children's mental health and then
I moved into family and children center and did child abuse investigations for 12 years. So it's good to be back. Um I love working in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Um miss actually it was nice driving in here today because I missed the drive.
Um but I'm here to talk about Big Brothers Big Sisters today. Um, you know, we've evolved quite a bit since 1969. So, we've been around for 56 years. Um, doing amazing work with youth in our community. Um, we started off as the Lacrosse County program and in 1993
we branched off and became our own incorporated organization. Um, became the Kulie region Big Brothers Big Sisters program. and then in 2012 evolved again um because we added more communities, more counties to our programming and we became Big Brothers Big Sisters of Seven Rivers Region. And
so we're one of 246 organizations that that exist nationally that focus our programming on onetoone youth mentoring. We serve children between the ages of five to 18. And then we had a national
uh movement that now incorporates children from or I should say young adults from 18 to 24. Um we know that that's a huge adjustment in life, you know, for many youth who age out and have really don't have those supports. And so they recognize, you know, with
the best practices that we have as a Big Brothers Big Sisters program that we continue to work with those young adults to make sure that they're successful transitioning to young adulthood. Um we have been serving for the last several years um southeastern Minnesota and
southwestern Wisconsin. We have over 12 counties. Um but our largest uh I should say uh services are focused in Winona County itself, Lacrosse County and Monroe County. Um we're just a very small staff right now and we have been in rebuilding stages for the last three
and a half years. I'm sure you have seen people come and go. And so what we're really trying to create through our program is some consistency and a really solid foundation in which to work from so we can grow our programming. And we're going to talk a little bit about today about the pilot project that we're going to have with Fastenol. Um Oh, it
is up. I'm sorry. So this is Allison Bram who is our operations director and she's going to talk a little bit about what I think is a very exciting time for us in Passenol. Um, and we're partnering with Big Brothers, Big Sisters of America and looking at uh launching Leaders and Littles.
>> Hi, I'm Allison. So, Leaders and Littles is a brand new, it's a sitebased mentoring project. So, Big Brothers Big Sisters has a few different types of mentoring. We have community, which is where they can go out and kind of do as they please with obviously permission with, you know, going to ice cream
shops, movies, stuff like that. Sitebased, it is contained to one specific building. So in this case it would be an elementary school. So we like to keep sight sight based specifically for our younger kiddos just because we like to have teachers there, adults, us if possible, peace of mind
for everyone. So Leaders and Littles is partnering with Fastel. So we are primarily having Fastnol employees come in to mentor our elementary school students. So this is kind of brand new to us. We haven't partnered with a specific company like this before. So I think it'll be really cool. And so our
program overview, we are only asking for about an hour a week from our mentors. So this kind of looks like our fastenel employees coming in and usually it's over lunch, recess, it can kind of be whenever would work best for the school at hand or the
student ID. if you want them to fast forward any of the >> Sorry, >> I just wanted to remind you of >> um and so they just come in for an hour a week and it is their opportunity to connect about life experiences if the
child is interested about that mentor's work just kind of a chance to build a connection that they might not otherwise get. It's not often that some of these kiddos have that opportunity to learn about industry like Fastenol or just a
variety of life experiences outside of an elementary school student perspective in their family. And so it is really just to bridge that gap. That is what my goal was with all of this is to bridge the gap of our really little generations to our adult community members who maybe
they don't have families yet or they're just trying to give back in the ways that they've received. And so that's kind of just our little overview there. And so I do have some statistics here. So our national office BB BBBS America
had run some studies this past year over the effects of mentoring whether it be site or community- based. And so we have 65% of youth have had a conversation with an adult outside of their family that have changed their career or education direction. And that is very important from someone who was born and
raised and educated all throughout Wisconsin and Minnesota. I think I received an excellent education, but I love to explore other things and I think that is something that I would love to bring to the younger generations. Obviously, they are
not at a career decision mage, but they are open to exploring. And then we have 81% of youth agree that having a mentor makes them feel more confident in decisions about school, work or life. This is my favorite one because it encompasses all that a child experiences. They get school, work and
life obviously not our elementary school students, but they confidence is suffering. I've worked in many schools and obviously now I work directly with children who face adverse experiences. They want to succeed and they want to do
well and they want all of these good things, but they don't believe in themselves to do it. Having someone having a separate third party outside of a family, outside of a friend who kids feel is required to build them up builds
that confidence that they're lacking. And so I find that really important. I've had kids when I talk to the kids about these types of programs, that is what they say. They believe their family to some capacity, but your mom is telling you that you're amazing, that you're doing great,
but there's also that little part in their brain that tells them that that's their mom who doesn't want to tear them down. So having someone, a professional who has these experiences will build them up. And then 83% agree that mentorship helps
bridge that gap that I was talking about earlier. And youth with mentors are 30% less likely to engage in violence related behaviors. and 42% likely to use substances repeatedly. And obviously substance use is not necessarily our prime concern with
elementary school students, but again as working in schools sadly it is still a concern that those schools are facing. So anything that we can do to alleviate that at their little age is my goal. And then next site please. So BBBS and
Winona. So currently we are serving 36 children throughout community and our sitebased programs in Winona and then we have had an ongoing presence I think probably since we first started. >> Yeah. So we are very well verssed with
Winona. It's one of my favorite counties to work with. I think Winona schools are probably the most calls I get asking for our presence with their students or we I think I get at least two calls a week from a Winona family asking about enrollments or asking about the process. They really want to get involved. So
that's something that I take note of and I when I hear interest I want to go there and I want to give those people what they can and we've been really focusing on our recruitment towards Winona and our recruitment as a whole but recruitment
towards Winona specifically just kind of ties in with that piece earlier of there's a want and I want there so we are ready to expand our leaders and littles and I really think that This would do a lot
of good for our Winona kiddos. I've spent a lot of time in the elementary schools throughout Winona, throughout the southeast Minnesota region. And there is a need. There's kids that have asked me, there's kids when I go and talk to these kiddos, they want to do this, but either their families don't
know about it, the school doesn't know about it. We obviously can't force ourselves into these kids' lives and bring them a mentor. So I I think that this is something that we could really build upon and it's absolutely no cost to anyone. So it's kind of a good thing
for the schools and for fascin attendance engagement and emotional well-being. Um we are seeing strength in confidence, communication and self-regulation as well as broaden career aware awareness, connection with community members and 84% of our youth
nationally report feeling more confident in their future after one year of mentoring. So our leader impact we also like to point out that obviously our kids we focus on our kid impact. Our mentors do receive something out of this as well. This is not just they're giving
and they're not receiving. They get something out of it too. They will receive enhanced leadership, empathy, and communication skills. That kind of ties back in with the business aspect of it. Obviously, the business wants to see the employees getting something out of this and not just taking an hour out of
the week, obviously, for good of the community, but everyone likes to get a little something. Um, increased employee morale, tension, and workplace culture. And then strengthened company and community reputation and connection to local de youth development.
for school and community impact. Um we are seeing positive shifts in student behavior in participation in schools and in like extracurriculars, community activities, just a general obviously an increase in involvement, but an increase in positive attitude towards those
things. We're seeing improved school spirit, incre improved community spirit, things of that nature. Um we are seeing stronger links between education, business and community engagement as well as a growing network of adults who model consistency, compassion and commitment for local youth.
Next slide please. So our kind of goals here we are hoping to successfully launch our leaders and littles pilot program at our selected site will be in January 2026. As of now I do not believe that we have chosen an elementary school site. We have not
presented to the schools. We wanted to kind of chat with you guys first and then go about the schools kind of in that flowchart. And then we are going to finalize our partnership with Fastenol and allow our employee their employees to mentor during work hours. Our goal is to so
they could pick an hour out of the week pending the school schedule, their work schedule, what is permitted by their employer. It's really just an hour. We lunch is about that 30 minute time frame, but we like to give them time to get to and from without having to stress
about that. And then we our goal is to create and sustain four to eight new mentoring matches in leaders and littles. And so that is four separate four to eight separate adult mentors from FastNol and then four to eight separate children that we would pair
together individually. So it's just a duo and then that is our goal starting that we would like to gather all of our data from and kind of observe as like our our test goal essentially for this pilot year. Um and then we are of course
the overall program goal is to support confidence engagement and academic like academic just overall improvement and spirit. Um and then we are going to be collecting outcome data, feedback and success stories to guide any further
program expansion, any anything that we need to change. This first year is just our goal of to see what we can do better, what we've been maybe like we haven't really thought about, things that have slipped through the cracks, things like that. And then in 2025 to 2026, our focus is on quality,
connection, and impact. Those are our three main things. Side please. So this is just kind of a tentative timeline for what we're looking at for this the remainder of this school year. So beginning fall we are really um focusing on our partnership with
fastenol as well as our schools kind of getting that base layer set um to winter through early 2026. So kind of looking at that beginning of spring March timeline is when we're really recruiting our mentors when we're kind of getting those matches started. We do all of our
big trainings, all of our screenings for our mentors as well as kind of like officially launching at our school. And then further into the spring, we are looking at our like development support where we are getting surveys back from our matches from our parents, from our
schools. Um, seeing what we're doing right, seeing what we're doing wrong, seeing what they would rather us do, seeing what they want, and starting those changes so we can finish out the school year and then go into the next school year stronger. And that goes into summer and then next which is our evaluation and then just kind of
restarting for the next year. Next slide please. And so for partnership support and recruitment what we as an organization are providing is our recruitment. We do all the background checks. We do all the training. We provide all the supplies that a match may need such as like
activities, social emotional learning curriculum, things, toys, games, anything that they want. we can provide to them. The school would provide kind of a it would really just be a space and a school contact just someone that we can coordinate with schedules times that
we could come in and present. Usually it's a school counselor, a secretary, anyone that just has access to scheduling and would be able to tell us when would be most convenient for them. Um, we also serve as a liaison of course with the school. So it would be myself or another employee would be the one
communicating needs, things like that, background check, updates, anything like that. And then for our businesses, so that would be fast and all in this case. They would be allowing their employees to take an hour out of their work week to come to the school and that would be
that side of it is completely up to the business of what they would prefer, days, times like that. And then they would promote the program internally obviously try to get mentors from the businesses to come in and then we really want the businesses to celebrate the
employee engagement because this is a big step. I mean, it's an hour out of their work week, but it's something that they don't have to do. And so, we really want to focus with Fastnol on really no financial assistance from the school or from FastNol at this exact time for the
program. >> Why? >> Um, >> why wouldn't you ask them for money? >> Right now, it >> that's in the that's in the negotiation. >> Yeah. Just at this time, we haven't had a finalized >> Okay. >> number. You're here to ask us for money, but you
>> I'll get to that. >> Um, next slide, please. >> So, I really want to build a program that lasts. I don't want this to be a couple month program that ends up falling into the dust. I'm not expecting this first year to go so smoothly that
this will be a perfect program that will just easily flow into the next year. It's going to be a pilot program, but I want to build something that is sustainable, that is known in the community, that is shown to benefit kids. And so, a lot of that is just constant collaboration. That's a big
piece of this with FASNO, with the schools, with the county, with families. This isn't just a BBBS program. This is a community program. Everyone's input is as valuable as ours is in terms of what we're building because this isn't just about us. It's about all factors of it.
Um and so we are sustaining the program right now through local um grants, sponsorships, corporate engagements, donations, things of that um realm. And we are prioritizing mentor satisfaction, recognition, and workplace support. That
is a big piece of this. Adults are very stressed, very busy lives. They might have families of their own that they have to worry about. We want to be a sounding board for them. We want them to be able to come to us and say, "I really don't like this. I am mad that a family member did this. I'm mad that a school
staff employee said something disrespectful or I need help with this issue. This child said something concerning. What do I do? That's my job in all this. I want to be able to guide them so that they feel confident to give that child confidence. And then our 2026 PI pilot provides a
blueprint for replication across additional schools. I would love to see this expand. I would love to see leaders and littles go into other schools with other businesses. I love the idea of starting with just one business, one school for data and evaluation purposes,
but this doesn't just have to be something that is one elementary school with fast and all. We can make this as big or as wide as we can or as we want. So, and I believe that is all that I have I think. Thank you.
>> And then that is just a little example pamphlet for marketing if we were to do some >> couple questions I'm sure commissioner. >> Yeah, it uh it always reminds me of a good heer calf makes eventually a good milk cow.
>> I'm a farm kid. Um so one of the questions I had was the fun funding aspect. That's always the difficult part and it's good to see businesses get into play and I'm a huge fan of private philanthropy um just government giving and one of the
big things that always scares me and I could cite several organizations and counties much bigger than us that are realizing this um I believe the historical society up in Rochester is one of them that's realizing that government philanthropy is in the way of private philanthropy people have this
perception it's a government funded program thus why do I want to give twice So, I I always bring that up because I've had many conversations with people like, "Why don't you donate?" Well, don't I already pay for that in my taxes? That's a big thing. Um, myself
included. So, I it it brings up the point of Commissioner Ward of, you know, where's that funding come from? So, my first question was, um, you know, what what's Fastenol's real? They're a big player in our community. Are they able to do anything like that? And can we leverage that, which you said you were
going to do that? Um, but one of the questions I have with that funding is how does how does this program work? And when when when we ask our taxpayers um to donate to something because in
essence that's what we're doing. Um, it does it stay local? Does it go into a a checking account and you can write checks out or is this going up to some national cause and they turn around and divvy back out what they deem necessary or is it that money governed locally? >> It's governed locally. Okay.
>> So, you know, we have to pay dues and things to our national office, but that comes out of a different pot of dollars. So, if we have Winona County money coming in there here, it stays in Winona account and we can and we can account for that. >> Um, to go back to March's question about
We're in that negotiation stage right now. And so this Friday we actually have a meeting and it is in the presentation that eventually FastNile will invest in this program. We just haven't come up with a solid amount yet. This is fairly new um thing that has happened with um
national programs like this. Um you know this is a huge investment you know in our youth and so we're we're really looking at um partnering because we know we have Miller mentoring. You know, I don't want to even say that, you know, I mean, I want to bring that up. They're focused in the middle school and the
high school, and we're really targeting elementary school because we do have two programs called Leaders and Littles and Leaders and Middles in Wisconsin. But we know right now with Miller Mentoring, you know, we want to partner with them and I have been in negotiation with them too to say if there's any crossover, you
know, we're going to work together for that. But we know right now they're not in the elementary schools and that's where we feel we can be most impactful because we talk about that youth investment that we're trying to prevent a lot of the stories that we heard today. And so we are going to be, you
know, contacting the local foundation. We are going to be talking with Fast and we're going to look at a collective effort of funding this. And four to eight matches may sound small, but again, we're trying to build a solid foundation for a program that we can expand into later. amounts that will be impacted later on
because I see so many programs that come in and say we're going to do this and they get an influx in and then it it doesn't become sustainable. We're really trying to create a sustainable program and that's why we have a financial plan going forward with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America working with Fast and All to make sure that this is an
investment that they want to continue to do for years down the road. Does that make >> hopefully that answers some of the question? It does. But I I I guess I would have to question the age for Fastenol's biggest impact. I think Fastenol is always as a private business
person, I would be looking for recruitment of workforce. And if I'm going to start with grade school kids, that that's great and it's admirable, but they aren't going to be in the workforce for a long time. So I I don't know if Fastel is going to buy into that as big as if it was older kids that they
could recruit into their workforce. >> Absolutely. We're not talking that they cannot work with middle age or high school students. >> This is a pilot project that we're starting with leaders and little >> and again we have been talking to them about expanding that. It's just you know when we do get those recruitments or
when we do get those referrals we want to make sure that we can connect them too because we do have the sightbased program and we have the community program and then we have sitebased plus and so we can um work with any of those kids that come in outside of that because we know that
mentoring is in the schools themselves, but working for those kids that want to have that connection outside of that. And we would use that workforce with um Fast and to also match those kids up with that. We're not we're not excluding that. >> Okay. >> Does that make sense?
>> Sure. >> Yeah. But I I can see, you know, where's their biggest gain is is workforce. >> Absolutely. I get that. >> Yeah. Commissioner, >> it's a dollar. What is there an ask here? >> No. This is just a presentation
>> been funded in in the past and so we're looking at sustaining that funding as an investment. >> What percentage is the taxpayer funding in relationship to your budget? >> As in the what we donate versus what
you say it stays local. >> If we give $10,000 or whatever it might be of the taxpayers's money, what percentage of that is your of your total budget? If we do a $400,000 budget. >> Yeah. Haven't we done 15 >> 15,000? Yeah. I'm just arbitrarily threw
a number out. >> It's a small percentage, but it's still a huge impact, you know, for funding coming in from Monoa County. >> Y >> it would be a huge loss to our our programming because >> Mr. Vega, >> I'm sorry. Do you want to finish? >> No.
>> Okay. Um I love the idea of business partnerships. Um, I hear what you're saying, Commissioner W. I think it's also up to the businesses to decide what what fits best and some of the businesses actually actively encourage their employees to become involved. So, it'll be interesting to see how it plays out, but I love the idea of those
partnerships. Double checking one of the numbers. You said 36 youth in Winona County. >> Is that since 2022 or just in the last year alone? >> It would be 15 were in the last year and then the remainder
number was since 2022. Thank you. >> How many are you said it's really the 15 are here in Winona? >> Yes. >> Um question. What's the commitment from the adult? um is it a minimum
requirement because you talk about the people uh you know adults burn out too and if it isn't working but one of the tragic things if if then that that hasn't if the adult bans the child that has devastating uh circumstances a lot
of times too. So what's the what's the commitment from the adult the men mentor? >> Yeah. So what we are asking for all matches and this it applies the same way throughout all of our programs is we ask for two to four meetings a month and that can be in this case it would just be two to four one-hour meetings a month
and that can be every other week. if they have the time and they want to go once a week, that's totally fine. Or if there is something and we are very understanding if something comes up, if there is something in the family or a health issue and they just couldn't eat that month, that is not something that we would hold against them personally.
And we also do encourage with parent permission, maybe just like a check-in phone call where the where just to say hi like how have you been? >> Is it and then is it for a year or two years or is there >> this can go for as long as we want. How >> is there a minimum? uh we ask for a year
commitment. This isn't it's not a contractual thing where if they break it there's a penalty. It's just kind of like our our goal essentially. Um there is also the opportunity with this program where um this would be sitebased exclusively for three months and we do we are kind of playing with the option of after those three months switching to
a sitebased plus match which is where they can meet on the school still and they still would. But if they wanted to take a Saturday afternoon to go >> get lunch or something that would be an option too. So that is where that could go into after elementary school of they could then fully transition into a
community match if that bond is still there or if all schools were okay with it still leaving it at that sight base plus where they still have a luncher recess buddy but they can still build that connection outside of the school walls. >> Sure. M >> have you is the city of Winona on board
with any funding? We've not had any funding from the state. >> I'm just curious just you know representing the greater district and really not having any participants in the greater district but so heavily focused in Winona. It might be something to really be focusing more on the
centric aspect rather than the grand aspect especially if there's nobody participating in the outside regions and really laying that also on them saying hey this is predominantly or 100% based uh coming from the city of Winona schools.
And again, you know, in the last few years, there hasn't been a lot of consistency, I think, in leadership, and I've been there for the last three years. So, I'm really trying to create a different program where it is sustainable, and that we're looking at this investment to grow all of our programs. I know we talked a little bit
about, you know, leaders and littles, but we have a far greater reach through our other programming as well, and we are working really hard on robustly building those programs. So, >> thank you. >> Right. Okay. I appreciate your time and
effort and coming. Thank you. >> Enjoy the drive back down the river. >> Okay. Uh 7.2 approve renewal purchase of service and business association agreements with the family and children's center for supervised
visitation. That's on page 161. I think this is one we asked for a little more >> just because it was such a large number. Yeah. And >> thank you. >> Um, >> so I did uh note in the request for
board action the questions posed was were what the rate is in 2025 and are there other vendor options? Um the rate is maintaining the same as it is in 2025 for 2026 and there are no
other vendors in our area who provide this service >> which is unfortunate >> and there really was kind of a I guess doom thing to read was like hey this there's nowhere to go with such a large expense very similar to the you
know new company bringing in on the contract side for the road. So I mean the good thing we don't have a history of cost obviously besides last year and this year but you know I would say it's definitely something we should be tracking just because it is such a large
dollar and really hold it tight and if we can find other ways to at least keep it in check I guess. So >> I pulled this I believe I got a a question. What is uh under total spent UA collections?
What's a UA collection? >> Urine analysis. >> Oh, okay. That's that's not of the kid. That's the parents, right? >> Um, actually, I believe this is the children. >> Oh, the children. Test them. >> You had a violation. >> And then, um, funded by levy dollars. I
didn't get an opportunity. What is How much do we have in the fund for that? You have GL05430710 under funding. What is that a line item in the budget? I didn't Yes. And how much is that line item? I didn't get a chance to look it up. What do we What do we project? >> I can look in the budget that's in your
packet. >> While she's looking, I'll move to approve item 7.2. >> Second. >> Okay, we have a motion uh by Commissioner Meer, second by Commissioner Olsson to approve the contract. And this is this isn't optional, unfortunately. I think it's
unfortunate that we have to do these kinds of things to people who can't be responsible parents. >> I'd say it's more like well the county is mandated to do things that this by the state but the state does not fund them.
>> Right. Well, the state doesn't fund it. But again, you don't have to have a license or a contract to be a parent. it just, you know, we can't do that, >> Madam Chair. >> Yes. >> Um, for 2025, we have 375,000 in the
budget. >> Okay. And we spent Okay. >> 307. >> 307. So, okay. Have to watch the budget. All right. >> Yes. >> Okay. We have a motion and a second. Uh, any further discussion? All those in favor say I. Those nay. Approved. Um,
yeah. >> Keep your eye on that. >> Yeah. with um uh committee reports. Uh Commissioner Vegley, >> um first of all, yesterday was Veterans Day. Excuse me. Um I and a couple of the
teachers took over 300 students down to the community uh program at Veterans Memorial Park. Um it's one day late, but to any veterans who are watching or the family of veterans members, thank you for your service, past service or current service.
um shelters um homeless shelters. I want to give a couple different updates. So in Winona County um there's only um homeless shelters in the city of Winona. Um tonight there is going to be um so there is a day center a day shelter in
the open. Last April we heard about the need to move one and in the summer to move the second one. Um the normal season for the overnight shelter runs November 1st to March 31st. There's been a delay um with uh city of Winona building zoning issues and other things.
But tonight, this is good news. The overnight shelter, which is a temporary facility at Wesley United Church, is going to open. It's going to be expanded hours. Um so, it's going to run from 8:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. at Wesley United Church. And that's basically to get
through this winter and this cold season. So, it's very exciting that that is going to happen. The day center has been open since roughly almost two weeks now etc. Um about a week and a half ago um there were two volunteer training
nights and almost 70 people roughly signed up for to become volunteers. Um for the first time in many years um there is now more community members involved as volunteers. There's a 16 person steering committee.
We've had we've had meetings every Monday night and there's never been less than 10 people at one of these meetings. So, I'm very excited to see community members becoming more involved again and more of a partnership, more of a balance between paid staff and having a lot more community volunteers. So, sharing some
good news is that tonight um for the first time there is going to be an overnight shelter in the city of Winona and and the only one in Winona County. Some other really exciting news because of the increased involvement of volunteers. There's three things that have never happened before with the
shelters. There's now three meals provided a day that never happened before. Um there's 24-hour coverage through the winter. That's never happened before. And because increased volunteers means less money for staff
can be stretched further. Will be less staff. there's going to be a case manager working as well uh with people in and in or near the shelter actively working with them to get them access to services and hopefully move them on to different stages of their life. So those
are three really positive there's been some hiccups and some difficulty working through building zoning issues, fire code, ADA and all those things. Um the city has been um has been great to work with. There's a lot of stuff to work through, but the really exciting news,
first time ever, 24-hour coverage, three meals a day, and now a case manager actively, proactively trying to get people more than was already being done um in touch with wraparound services as well. So, >> thanks for your work with this
>> question. How how do the uh participants learn about this? >> It's mainly through word of mouth. So it's word travels mainly through Yeah. So the guests um there be hopefully there there have been some stories in the newspaper. Um but hopefully it'll
probably be mainly through word of mouth. Um and I'll talk some more about that a little bit later. Um lastly number three I wanted last month I double checked about this month's meetings and how we got recently this meeting. So December, just double checking for the for the
public to know in December we flip-flop the day and evening meetings, right? And the first meeting is on a Thursday night. >> December 11th. >> Yep. >> Right. So why did I have the nth? Yeah, it's that
Thursday. That for the second Thursday. >> Yes. >> Yes. Okay. >> And then the last meeting of the month will be the morning. >> Yes. Right. Just want to confirm that and that's and just remind the public. >> It was the night and it moved to the 11th. >> Okay, that's okay. All right, >> that's it. Thank you.
>> Okay, thank you, Commissioner Eling. >> Making sure my phone is correct. >> Yeah, good. We want you here. >> Last one is uh the 23rd. >> Correct. >> Yeah. >> In the morning before. >> That's a big one though.
>> That's the big one. We'll do nine o'clock there. Good to go. That means our road and bridge committee meeting is still Tuesday the night. >> I'm not 100% sure. >> So, let's maybe talk to Dave. We had scheduled the same day as the board
meeting. So, >> there's any update to that, we might want to >> handle that. Just shout give us an email because it'll be Commissioner W, myself obviously. Uh, a few things on my end. Yeah. uh you know, Veterans Day. Just uh wonderful to uh you know, proud to know
that I actually employ several veterans and just want to thank everybody who's a veteran uh uh for their service both now and in the past. Uh the other thing I want to bring up is uh farming safety. You know, harvest is just about done. Uh
yesterday I was out in South Dakota. I'll be out in Nebraska, Iowa. Um there's still a fair amount of corn out there, but I would say we're, you know, probably 90% wrapped up. Um depending on some wet situations, but uh you know, I haven't heard any major incidents this
year, especially in Winona County, it's actually been a pretty safe harvest. Usually every year we tend to have at least one incident. So this year, uh that uh that was good to hear. Um, and then yeah, isn't I just wanted to allude to uh Commissioner Vagley's point that
public's public awareness about this about philanthropy is huge. And I think what happens over time is that the awareness of it diminishes. So we turn to the taxpayer and uh because we need to keep these programs going somehow. So
thank you for your efforts to to do what you're doing. And it and it goes to show where my biggest fear is when government gets involved, I I'll stand behind this. Public philanthropy diminishes, private philanthropy diminishes, excuse me. So, um, and thank you to everybody that's
standing or stepping up to to help out, and it's it's good to see, you know, communities organized like that. So, uh, that's it for me. >> All right. Um, two things. Uh, I failed in public comment. We had a letter and we'll make sure that uh everyone gets a
copy of this from uh Judge Stino Stino um about the uh treatment court and uh her participation. She is the main uh treatment court judge now and uh it's a lengthy letter so we will make sure everybody gets a copy and we want to
acknowledge that uh she does support it um and she's covering that um that role as the treatment court judge. Um, I would like to request a followup and probably probably needs to be a close session with the first gentleman that spoke to us because we have gotten a lot of letters and emails and I don't
understand and his accus accusations of u some of our other elected officials is disturbing. Um, but I think we need to take appropriate action and we need to know what what that action is if we need to do anything. So, if we could schedule um I guess I'll ask if anybody else if
we could schedule some type of close session to be knowledgeable of what our role is in all that and and his acquisition. >> Um I you get some of these things and you don't understand exactly what's going on till you ask the questions. But is there
a need to move forward with anything? >> No. >> Well, but I would still like to know what I mean. He made some pretty specific allegations in his letters. disagree. My question is is is it knowledge based that we need to call some sort of a close session or is
it a need to know nice to know? Does it involve us as county board members to generate produce a result start an action? >> It it does not. However, if you would like a brief close session to bring you up to speed, go over.
>> Is it something we can do in a confidential email? Is it something we can be >> you could meet one-on-one which is >> oneonone? >> Y >> I've spoken with two different people that were mentioned in the letters. I feel comfortable but I I'll support the requests to have >> I'm not supporting that. I just want I
don't want to overstep anything and open up a can >> that now we can't go back down. >> But I would like us all to have the same information at the same time. Oneonone we get different only legally have closed sessions for certain reasons. Does this qualify?
Um, it does not in my opinion because unless you're going to discuss personnel performance. >> Well, it's been raised >> litigation. >> It it's been raised as a question. So,
>> I I would be concerned to have a a closed session on this because he he has raised publicly a lot of allegations, >> right? Um, and I think it would be more
um appropriate to have a um confidential email sent >> um to each of you um from administration. I have provided my information to Mr. Sadler um and um you
know and at some point but but I I I agree it's not well first of all I I would say yes the board needs to know what the what what a response is to this allegation. Well, if you can start with a confidential email, I that's step one
because I personally when somebody contacts me, I almost always I I try as a rule to react and respond to him and I don't know what to say and not say to react and acknowledge because he indicated nobody had contacted him and I find that irresponsible on my part but I don't know what
>> well and I have not he has not sent me anything so I don't know what letters all these 17 or whatever >> I just want to make sure of as as serious as But it's the limited information I have that whatever procedure we do is the correct
procedure. So we are we don't open up a can and get painted into the wall because we did something. >> Yes. >> Did or didn't do something either way. So I just want to make sure that we're crossing tees and dotting eyes rather than just jumping in and now all of a sudden we've got this this closed session and now we gota expose that. It
could create a snowball. Right. So just please guide us in the proper thing and if there's something there, great. If or so be it. If there's nothing there, great. And off we go. >> Well, part I I can understand it and I can respect that, but part part of his concern is that okay, you're asking the
people he's accusing to advise you. That that's a little slippery slope, too. I mean, he brought it up, you know, so >> we've consulted others. >> Okay. So, >> okay. And then you can put that in the in the email now. Okay. Because we're I'm out in the dark. I don't know what's going on. So, thank you. Okay. I'll I'll
buy that for now. Not to say we won't come back to it. All right. Thank you. Um and you talk about veterans. It was Yes. Appreciate veterans considerably. Um both my father and my father-in-law were were veterans and very proud of that. And so the other yesterday I stopped at Southwind Orchards. It's my
little apple orchard in down in Dakota Valley and they're closing up. They have a little re resale uh store and they said here we got just a few bags of apples. Do you know any veterans? I said, "Well, yes, I do. I can go see John and I know some." They said, "Please take these apples and make sure the veterans get them." So, I thought
that was very kind of South. I'll give them a plug. They're closed in shop today, so you can't go buy apples. Uh, but next year, think of Southwind Orchard. They've made a huge investment in their orchard, which a lot of orchards around here are really probably laying dormant, which is unfortunate,
and they have done a nice job. So, I'm going to take apples to to uh the veterans officer. Um, and they're Pixie Crunch, and they're a really great new apple um in the in the neighborhood. So, um, people are thinking of the veterans and I greatly appreciate the veterans.
Okay. Um, that being the end of our business, >> move to adjourn. >> Do I have a I'm sorry. >> I have a question. >> Yes. >> So, item 101, was that skipped or was that what you decided? >> We yet we're going to adjourn and then we're going to >> committee of the board. >> Oh, commission.
>> We're going to take a bathroom break. Okay. We have a do we have a motion to adjurnn? Second by any other discussion. All those in favor say I. opposed. We'll take a five minute break, please.
Cont. >> And I'm not sure who's going to >> uh Miss Marine, should I start or do you want? >> Yes. No. Go ahead. >> So, I am going to start with a question. Um I'm not sure how much um I should how much information I should share because
I do realize Marine you shared the process and I understand for this to be an official request at a normal business meeting there needs to be a Winona County request for funds form filled out right and that has to come from the
agency that's requesting it. So, what I how I view this discussion is um I want to see if it's even something the board would consider during these tough budget times before I asked very busy people with limited time to go through all of
this paperwork. And what I'm going to ask the board to do is to consider um a shift in our limited county resources. I'm going to upset uh Commissioner Hy here in a minute. Um the county board has never given a penny to
the any of the homeless shelters. Um and they've been in assistance for about eight years. But in fairness, these shelters have never asked for direct funding, etc. But I've seen what a little bit of government fund do and they're going facing reductions from the state and federal level, especially the
state level. Um, so what I would like to ask, so I'm going to walk through a proposal and I realize this is not an abnormal visit, but what I'd like to do is focus on the core functions of the county, which is public welfare and
public safety. Um, so I'm going to talk about programs, the other outside agencies, specifically tourism. We currently allocate $1,000 to tourism. We currently allocate 6,000 um to the Southeast Minnesota Initiative
Fund and then I would also like to talk about so what I'd like to do is reallocate the funds from those two and I'm a strong believer in economic development since we started funding those many years ago. We developed the economic development authority. So I
feel like that we're doing due diligence in terms of economic development and I was very supportive of the EDA when it was formed. Um, and economic development is important, but in terms of the core functions of the county, public welfare, public safety, I think that homeless
shelters, the only ones in the county are a high priority. So, what I'd like to propose, and this can come at the if if this discussion could lead to being moved to a normal business meeting to completely shift the 10,000 from
tourism, the 6,000 from Southeast Minnesota initiative fund. And I can type this up later for people. And then from Big Brothers Big Sisters to take 8,000 from that 15,750 allocation um and allocate it towards this. I'm a fan a supporter of Big
Brothers Big Sisters, but like they just mentioned, it's been a program that's been going through some change and we currently have Miller mentoring and they they mentioned Miller mentoring. Um, if I wouldn't I wouldn't suggest a decrease
in a program if there wasn't another program already divided with services. I see Miller mentoring in action often, etc. So, what I'm trying to do is come up with a proposal to fund for the first time ever $15,000 a year, but not it's
not in new money, it's shifting existing money. Um, so that's what I want to see if the rest of the board would entertain that. Um, and then I could but I could I would then go to Catholic Charities to say I think it's worth your time at least to try it. We can't guarantee that
will happen because that Catholic Charities is one office that serves 20 counties from Wisconsin to South Dakota and they have over 20 different programs that they run. So before I ask them to go through all the paperwork and etc. I just want to know if it's even worth
their time to do it. Um and again I strong support of economic development but in these tough times I want to shift the focus to public welfare focus on this and I'm I'm anticipating the question from picture scene like
what percentage of the overall budget $15,000 I think I don't know that the exact total budget those because of the the freezes and the cuts in France not being awarded etc. I think it would probably be less than 5% of the overall budget, etc. But it would it would
provide and I could when when they when they submit the request, what's the form? Mona County request for funds, I would ask them to label like what what those funds could be used for. It's just for general support of the shelters specifically and special because they're
looking they're developing wraparound services to help people out move into shelters out of businesses and down you know the backs of semi-trailers or whatever that is in the shelter and
get them moved on to the next level. So our process is that you get a second and then >> comes here. >> You come here then if three people want to support the complete conversation then that happens. It could happen here or at a board meeting. So this is the
number two conversation not the final. >> Right. So, I don't know that I support the exact proposal that you have laid out, but I would support being one of three commissioners wanting to have I mean a conversation
to decide if we should >> that could be help >> and what other options there are because I know we had asked about some of the is the SAHA money >> um whether because that's can be used for emergency shelter. Could 15,000 of that be used? >> Sure. So I'd at least support that
conversation. >> I would support a further conversation. >> I I um have to look at what benefit this is a very city centric mission. So I have Lewon, I have Dakota, Dresback,
Udica. I mean, and and so what what benefit other than that big philosophical, well, we're taking care of the poor, what benefit does it have for them versus possibly, you know, the southeast Minnesota or the tourism or anything? Is there a benefit uh to that
to my constituents? Um I I I would really struggle to support it at that level. Um, and is Catholic Charities stepping up now? It seems like they were part of I was told they were part of the problem at one time um, as
far as the decrease in volunteers and now these other churches are are they um, they're faith-based and that's great and that's probably part of a, you know, a church's mission um, to do these things. Um, you know, maybe some type of matching from the city of Winona. I
mean, again, you're asking for a a small subset within the whole county to to take this on. And I just I u I don't know how I tell my farmers who are struggling to make enough money harvesting their crop to pay for some somebody else's and when they're
struggling themselves. >> I hear you to quickly respond is that it's the only shelter in the county. If there were shelters in St. Charles and that would be a different thing, but I think it's the only shel and people tend to move towards gravitate towards that. Catholic Charities. I hear what you're saying. There's a new executive
director. He's fantastic. Um we've had meetings at four different locations and three of them have been churches. Um the day center is at St. Paul's um Episcopal Church. Um the Reverend John's Manila there. He's fantastic. The overnight shelter will be at Wesley United
Methodist Church. We've also had meetings at St. Cather's Church. That's a different longer story, etc. But a number of different churches. And next week I'll be I'll be a small group of people will be going to Pleasant Valley um church to talk about developing volunteers there as well. We're we're
reaching out to pockets of people. We've had two large meetings now whereas they're going out to individual churches to try to develop more volunteers. The more that the community is involved, the better this will be. >> So if I see two law enforcement people that live in the city of St. Charles, so if there was a St. Charles citizen that
was homeless, they could come access all these services if they could get here. There's no restriction. Commissioner Vagley. >> Right. And actually um uh I think sometimes the police act as a defaultto default Uber for people who are either
on the edge or facing homelessness or on the edge of committing some kind of crime to transport them if there are shelter. >> Well, the sheriff's office is calls once in a while that there's somebody maybe out on the highway and the last
thing we want to see is >> between Lewon and St. Charles, >> but I guess I would like to see it more of a commitment out of the city of Winona. >> I hear you. Um, I view the county's primary function as public safety and
public welfare. The city, I think, has a focus on economic development. That's something we can talk about later, too. I hear what you're saying. >> I think they gave their softball money, too. I don't know that. >> I'm not sure. I I that's based on uh the letter that
um Jason Duckus sent. >> Oh, okay. Michelle, same thoughts. >> It's a hard cell. I've actually brought this up to a lot of people and you know, I I think I can come up with one person that I know in my district that I've
heard about. Um is it a county problem? Is it a local city problem? I'm going to lean towards the local city. And then I also go back to private and public philanthropy. And here we are. We got a lot of traction behind it. And now we're going to go step in and say here, let us fund it, which turns around. And today
it looks good. But what happens tomorrow when that starts to die down because it's that's not happening. And then the next ask a few years from now will be, well, geez guys, we can't shut this down. Now we need to fund it more. Now we need to have a coordinator. We have
to support it. It it snowballs. And so I would do everything we could for the time being to keep it in the private uh sector. Um it seems like we have a lot of very good traction there and um I think last case should be going out and
demanding it from taxpayers and saying you will do this um because I got to go back to those people and say hey I is there a need in our area to do that. So commissioner Olsson is there something funny or what? No, I I What's funny is
that we're having a conversation when it's not on the agenda. >> Yeah. Gotcha. Okay. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I was just wondering if there's something I missed. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So, you wanted my opinion. That's my opinion. It's not on the agenda. Um but, you know, so to get my support, there's going to have to be I'm gonna have to hear a lot more from my
constituents because I actually have brought this up and they all kind of laughed at it and said, "We have a problem." And I said, "Apparently." >> Minister Holding. Um, so prior to the meeting, I did ask Miss Sman for legal review of whether this is something the
board can do >> and it's >> because we have a timeline. >> Um, does this commit us to opening it up to all organizations to make a request mid mid year? I just wanted Miss Anomment to give you
>> words. Yeah. I mean, what >> to me it doesn't meet the muster. We got a process. We put that process for a reason and now we're trying to circumvent the process. >> No, I mean we're looking at the 2026 budgets that probably Yeah. Well, but
they they missed the deadline for they haven't we haven't seen a application what they refer to as an >> application. The board has done supplemental things in the past as I remember for certain things like up in St. Charles in the food bank. Um but um you do have a pretty though. Yeah, you
do have a pretty extensive um list there of all the outside agencies and this would be considered I mean I'm not sure how they're organized um commissioner regly but but this would be an outside kind of agency group for and if they've
incorporated or charities charities okay the financial so I mean it would have to be reviewed for whether it does serve a a public purpose so
I think you know the individual case. So >> this whole thing for us can't do it. I just wanted legal advice because of what we have in the policy. >> Right. >> Yeah. And I I would like a little more information about you know kind of the
structure. Um I know uh Commissioner Vegley had come to my church to um because we had an event um where we heard about uh various programs including the >> the shelters >> the shelters and um
it's it's a great collaborative of of folks but legally we need to know what what's what's the what's the ultimate >> you know I'm sorry to say you have a very big hardened capacity passion on this, but when they see you walk in the
door, I think they see a source of revenue because you represent the county. I mean, I know you say you don't represent the county. Even the letter to the editor says you don't represent the county. It's your own thing. But I'm sorry, people people see that through that lens. So, >> I would like to revisit it through the
lens of the Saha money, which we talked about earlier, whether that's possible and like legally is that even possible and then do you advise it or not? Yeah, >> but the SA money that maybe another pot, but there again is a homeless shelter affordable housing. Saha was supposed to
be create it for emergency housing. Yeah, but I mean again is it emergency housing forever there, you know, >> it's a whole another subject. Okay. All right. So, I guess you got three that want to talk about it for discussion.
And again, I would discuss the >> what people see you as >> then I can do more. >> Not a question of to me. This isn't a Yes, I I I definitely discuss the topic. It's not that you don't want to help people. The line becomes forcefully
taking it from people to fund something versus willingly giving it up to help a cause. That's the line between government and private philanthropy. There's a force and then there's simply an ask. And so that's where it becomes an issue for me. >> Commissioner Begley, if we could work
with you to get more information so Miss Sonaman can give us an opinion. >> Yes. >> Is this fund for? >> Yes, it's online, but we also emailed it to the applicable agencies, but we can email it to the >> Thank you.
>> representative. >> Thank you. >> ID is Sam in today or one of the IT guys that can help me out. my computer. Is she listening? >> No, >> I'm sure they are. I've been down to >> That's fine. >> They got on 10.1. 10.2 then.
>> I can't get in my email again. >> Yeah. So, we have the three meeting process. So, this would be the second meeting. So, I'm looking for to see if there are three commissioners who would be interested in um >> already said >> talking about a donation, a special donation because of the government
shutdown and the November shut off of SNAP to uh volunteer services and to the >> Oh, are you talking 10.2 2 now. >> Yep. 10.2. Yeah. >> Um, now been solved though. >> Has it >> the Supreme Court did another stay, but
we don't know if it's going to get clawed back or not. And when will the government open? And so if those things happen and it is solved, then at the next meeting, we can just say never mind. But if it's not, I'm wondering if we have three votes to potentially make a contribution. >> Uh, absolutely. And like you said,
hopefully it'll be worked out. It'll be unnecessary, but this is a big >> what your definition of worked out because >> I have a feeling you people would give them >> no the stop benefit that won't be allowed and will be continued, etc.
>> My worst case scenario is our benefit monthly is about $440,000. The state of Minnesota issued it. >> The USDA said, "No, you have to take it back." The state says, "Uh we don't have a process to take it back. Mhm.
>> I hope we don't get stuck with the bill. >> Well, we'll just say >> penalty >> the checks. The checks in the mail. >> Yes. >> So, this on again off again just as one more thing that creates uncertainty for no account. >> By two weeks, it'll >> it'll be resolved. We hope so.
>> Okay. All right. So, we got >> I heard two break. Yes. >> Are you guys open to it? >> I'm always open to a discussion for the most part. >> Yeah. Well, I have I'm optimistic that it'll get solved also. >> I hope so.
>> All right. Um then moving in. Uh are we good on that? >> Yes. >> All right. >> Okay with me. >> Um All right. Uh working session discussion of the 2026 RAM budget. >> No. For the fun stuff, >> what we've all been waiting for, right?
>> Okay. >> I got to get this working because I I don't have anything in front of me. I can't get back into my email. What's that? >> I said >> Yeah, it it decided to restart and now I can't get
>> Okay, thank you. Can't get back in. >> Otherwise, we can get you paper copies maybe. >> Oh, that's a lot of trees. >> Is this different than what we've seen before? >> We'll we'll touch base on this. So, this is a document that will reflect what we
know about 2027's budget meeting. >> Okay. This is different than what you've shown. >> It's not in the packet. This is a new document. >> Okay. >> Um and again, it's we'll we'll get to that in a little bit. Meline, do you desire us to wait a
couple minutes? Okay. >> No idea why it >> All right. If it's not this, it's this. If it's this, it's that. >> Two months ago. >> Is there a page you want us or you want us on this >> hard copy? >> Either way,
>> it'd be 213 through 214 19 or something like that. Yeah, something like that. >> So, we'll start on page 213. So, the intent is to give an update on the 2026 budget uh status and where we're at. Um, in the memo, we go through
the key drivers uh that are pushing the levy. Um, I'm going to quickly touch on some of those. Uh, if you have questions, please let me know. Um, health insurance is a key driver. We have open enrollment through November
19, get a copy. Um, we won't know how many people may opt the new plans and what that means for our contributions until after that, >> but we will know at our next meeting. >> Um, we should have a good idea. I might not have all the numbers yet because that's a pretty quick turnaround to get
the data crunched. Um, however, we'll do our best. Um, but we're we're hoping that we have some people up the new plans. Um, negotiations are underway in regards to the contribution of the uh
employees towards the Minnesota paid family leave. Um, so that'll just take some time. We'll we'll refine the budget when we get some of those uh resolved. >> Well, what we are not we're not debating the contribution, are we? 50/50.
>> Well, it's negotiable. Well, are are we >> We may It's not negotiable. >> We may have a reduction in our share. >> We have to fully fund it until we negotiate other otherwise. It's a negotiable item with the
collective bargaining groups. >> So, >> but I'm not willing to negotiate. >> No, it might go down and you negotiate. But what do you mean that they would pay more? >> Well, that they're going to pay the half. Yeah. Yeah. That's what I'm saying. That
that for me that >> I understand. We still have >> That's what we did. My employees pay half. >> Yeah. We're trying to negotiate that could reduce what the cost >> what's in the budget. >> Well, you mean you put the full amount in the budget. Okay. Okay. Now, okay. Yeah. But I mean I I'm not willing to
negotiate award. It's a good thing. >> Well, it is, but it it's it's misleading. It's one of those >> It's misleading. Putting the putting the whole chunk in there. No, it's misleading. Well, you have to budget because you don't know what's going to happen. But their hopes is that it goes no different than us when they looked at
raises. >> I tell the employees, well, sorry, you're out half a percent because you received the benefit. >> Yeah, I I have a different mindset on them. >> Rather had the 1%, you know. >> Okay. Go ahead. >> Okay. So, we're still reviewing capital requests. Uh, as of right now, it still
is what's represented in the the packet um with the SNAP administration costs. So after further analysis with that um we had about 240,000 if I recall correctly in the budget and
we looked at the timing we looked at the timing of when the the payments are hitting Winona County and so we're really going to see about $25,000 difference >> better >> versus 240 which is a good thing for Winona County, but it doesn't change
what we anticipate as our total amount for the next year of 2027, which is 800,000. >> That's because of a shift of the federal government to make the states pay a higher part of the administrative and because Minnesota is what, one of 12
states where the county's administr that's a shift from the federal government to the county, >> but also 10% of the benefit itself. >> That's a bigger number. >> Yes. >> Say again. I didn't hear. You said 10% >> of the benefit itself. So if we get 440,000 a month, 10% of that we have to
now pay and that's based on the statewide error rate. >> Yes. >> Um >> so that like >> over a half a million a year. >> Yeah. >> Do a lot of community gardens and let them grow it.
the um Larry Hill Reform Act. Um I'm further analyzing that, but we're going to need to put something in the budget. I just haven't come up with the dollar amount. So um right now we're still looking at that 150,000 um personnel changes and savings. Just
to note that again the budget has already been reduced by the 4.8 FTEES which is approximately 480,000. Um we are doing uh a soft hiring freeze evaluating all vacancies and um the
potential hiring of those. >> But you say a reduction in 4.8 that is that truly people employed currently or is that just what people are asking for? >> Vacant positions. >> Vacant positions that we have made the decision to eliminate.
>> Okay. And could you provide us what those positions are? You might recall you asked this last time and Mr. Sadler shared that he's giving up part of a position, >> right? But I think one of the comes to mind tried to hire that uh highway design.
>> There's questions that I sent to Marine when this came out and that was one of them. She has that information. >> I said what what she she has that. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> Well, like the one was that highway engineer type of position that we were thinking of doing. Is that is that
>> it's not one of them that is um part of the 4.8. >> Okay. All right. Well, >> the 4.8 is8 is account specialist in finance. >> Um one FTE is the HR specialist and
human resources. One FTE is the environmental services supervisor. 6 is a household hazardous waste um part-time assistant. and the equivalent of 1.4 transport
officers. Those are the ones that we have reduced. >> Okay. Thank you. >> And that is reflected in the numbers. We are planning a turnover savings of 500,000 and so that includes the soft freeze,
the savings from the soft freeze. Okay. >> Okay. There are no new positions in the budget. Even though we do have knowledge of potentially needing to hire due to uh the changes with SNAP and the I call it the act
>> the act >> in human services. >> Well, are those is there going to be you know especially this act it's it it's >> monumental. It it's a high driver. Um you know we got a lot of smaller counties around us. Is there potential
to share you know if there's a certain expertise needed in that position? Is there potential to share an employee with some of our smaller counties? >> Isn't it three positions? >> Yep. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> It's crazy. >> I would go one step further and just say postpone it for a while, but not have until they let the bigger counties
figure it out. There's no way that we >> completely we are required to do it. We just >> are we just won't have the staff to do >> unless they change. >> Yeah, they may change. >> I'm agreeing that's going to happen. >> That's an unfunded me for sure. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Either funded or taken off the back. >> Right. Right.
>> We totally agree with you. Yeah, >> that's why I think all five of us could send a clear message to our state legislators, >> fund it or kill it. >> The problem with it is is they'll fund it for a while, get it up and going, then they pull it. It's just the classic over and over and over they do that
>> and it sounds so good when it's funded. >> Why not? >> Well, it's not that it's a bad thing to do. >> Not saying it's a bad thing to do. It's just >> to do it fun. >> I don't care if it's saving turtles. it it's when you pass the expense down to us and granted I still say it this way
the left pockets the state the right pockets the county the back pockets are federal you're paying for it one way or the other >> right and it's even almost mislabeled it says I I hate you know Minnesota African-American well it's it's much more broader than just that >> child protection
>> yeah so I mean it >> yeah for rural America rural Minnesota it's kind of a um people are thinking it doesn't affect us but it does because we don't have a large >> but later on when the next session starts let's do a definitely a
>> happy to do that. Yeah, I'm happy to I would be happy to join on the >> well we can s tell Senator Dascowski we'll take on the rifles and shotguns but you take care of the children. >> I I would just like to note I this is a give and take right? Yeah. Minnesota
County Attorneys Associates at our last meeting um we voted to >> uh support a delay in the implementation of this. Thank you. >> Yeah. Um because it was affecting >> well everybody but particularly the outstate counties. Um so
>> um so we've got our our lobbyist working >> and those counties that have bribes in them it's huge right you know the number of people it's huge. So I think there's a real push to say whoa, you know, slow this down. >> Well, and it's ironic that they picked
what? Ramsay and >> Henipin to do the pilot. That's not a true pilot. That that is not it. Yeah. It was poor picking of who's the pilot in this. Yeah. Okay. So then uh to touch base on the outside
agencies um I am asking that the board discuss uh the potential of reducing the total allocations by 150,000. Um namely to help us meet the the direction desired of the board and
that's to get closer to the singledigit uh levy request. Um, I don't know if you'd like to pause there and have that dialogue or if you'd like me to continue through the memo. >> Uh, well, I'll just I mean, I'll just start by saying that 150,000 out of what
we can when you take out the statutory requirement for SECO is 30% of the entire budget. I I can't I I can't see doing that. It's not I don't I don't think I can go for it.
Say again, 30% of the entire budget. The 722,000. >> No, the 525. >> 525. To take 150,000 out of that is 30%. >> Oh, 30% of that. I >> I can't I can't see doing that. >> Well, um, so here above that though,
you've got the second bullet. Requests are made now as all of but two entities are contractual agreements. So, what two are not contractual agreements? um historical society and I believe the
fair. >> They are contractual agreements, right? >> All the rest of them are via contract. >> Those two are not >> those are not because statutoily you can >> get to them. >> The others we have to have a a contract to do it. Well, I hate to bring it up
again, but um I've had a number of people ask me project fine 45,000 that it's unclear if that's 45 and then it you work down on uh interpretive services or is that
just a a gift 45? Because we've spent um project fine, we probably paid them like $95,000 last year, one of the last couple years. We pay them a lot more than that. So, it's unclear if that 45 is actually uh you know $100 an hour for
interpretive service and they work down that and then the other stuff is other areas of the the government. >> Can you provide that for us? >> I most certainly can. >> I think we've had this discussion but it still is unclear how the billing is and and what and I I you know um we see I
see Mr. Kramer and I don't know if you're still on the board. I think project fine has over a million dollars in reserves uh a nest egg. Now what their plan with that is I do not know. They do great work. I'm not saying they're not good and they do great work and everything but you know we've got
more and more electronic devices that can do interpretive services. You got uh you know apps that interpret. Now I don't know if it's more interpreting or is it advocating. Um, and again, if they've got a if they've got a million dollars in a reserve nest egg, um,
that's a lot of money. And I Dave, I don't know if you can answer that if you're still on the board or or what, but that is one that comes up and if we need to do some trimming. >> I am still on the board. Um, the uh there are reserves uh that
project fine has. Um the intent is to uh be able to continue to provide services and be financially viable. Um knowing that uh sometimes the uh grant funding that the organization use uses can be
sporadic especially when there's for example a downturn in the stock market. The foundations tend to kind of pull back that provide funding. Um, similar to Winona County having reserves as a basically a financial best practices,
uh, so does project fine. Um, it's my understanding that the services that are identified in the budget or the dollar amount is things that the county is required to do and is having project fine do. So, it's paying for them. If you remove that from the budget, you're
going to need to provide those services anyway. That's my understanding. But if it's a if it states here that this they're under contract then again is the contract going down the you know working off the every time you take something off the 40,000 when it gets to zero. Are
we renegotiating the contract or what? Because I I've seen in the budget we've paid them like I say someone pointed out and I think I even saw you know like $95,000 last year. >> That part I'm not that part I'm not familiar with. I do know that um project
fine um uh goes after grants for specific programs. >> Yes. >> Um and in my time on the board there, I don't recall ever seeing Winona County being identified as a grant source for a
program that project fine does. That it's that that's not the case. You know there's Blue Cross Blue Brew Shield Foundation, Bremer Foundation, you know, places like that. >> Sure. Well, no, Fatima has done a marvelous job. I mean, she turned that organization I remember when it was, you
know, a closet in the the building across the way and really struggled. I mean, she had she's a very smart businessoriented. >> She does she does an excellent job. >> She's a really good >> She's got this million dollars tucked away. And I guess you know for us again if we're looking at areas that we can
maybe trim back um that's one that comes that constituents have brought up the answer that question share with all of us. >> Yes. >> Y thanks Dave. >> I'm just going to add to what Chris said is um I don't foresee I don't you you're
asking about recommending cutting 150,000 from that discretionary expenditures. I am open to cutting 15,000 to make to reassign those funds possibly to shelter >> but we don't have we don't have to do that
>> funds will be would be a different way furthermore I want to keep the funding and I want to honor the the SWCD's request for 11,750 I think that the the that amount can be found in other places in the budget I understand that there's a need to
continue to get more savings I'm also speaking for myself regrettably Regrettably, regrettably, this is a very serious issue. It's tough times for far farmers who are paying the price of a trade war. Tariffs come with a price. Import taxes create >> that's not what's doing it.
>> Reciprocity in China stuff buying soybeans and it's a tough commodity market right now for sure. But I actually don't feel a need to get down under. I'm I would be comfortable speaking for myself only with that very big number of 12.49. So that's speaking
for myself only because these programs most of them are preventative. It's pennywise and pound foolish for many of these. But I would I would support uh one increase in supporting the one request for S SWCD. Again, that's
providing aid and support to our rural rural residents and farmers. Um and if you if you avoid that, if you take that away, it's less it just creates bigger problems, bigger expenses later on. So I have other other parts of the budget I'd like to revisit to for savings but
speaking of outside of spenders for myself only other than the possibility of reallocating I don't like I don't foresee reducing $150,000 freezing yes but not reducing >> uh sheriff sitting here humane society
isn't that a contract for for any again have we did we spend $20,000 taking care of stray cats and dogs isn't that when you get something some problem animal that >> we don't know how much the budgets the budget has been 20,000 >> right but I don't think we spend
anywhere near that do we so do they get the 20 the question then is asked do they get the 20,000 regardless or is it truly a contract >> right >> did not know that >> yeah so but what do we have a history of
what we have paid out the last couple years >> we could run a report Yeah. Yeah. >> I have the last two years that I ran. >> So maybe we can we can downsize that. Um again, we said we said these are supposed to have a specific, you know,
um request, which they have, and then they're supposed to tell us specifically what uh they're doing with our money. Um detail funding, what antic and details of the funding used and what anticipated outcomes are. So um
let's see. Well, the senior advocacy center, city of Winona, again, I think that's very city orientated. >> Oh, they do everyone throughout the county and they've given us in the past the several thousand out of the city
clients that they serve, >> right? But that's $50,000. I mean, again, have we gotten a a breakdown? All these organizations are supposed to be reporting to the state of Minnesota. If they're 5013C's, there's a reporting mechan that's a city of
>> there is a requirement if they fall under that statute and I'm not asking for new information. Just if they have to file a copy of that, then we should get that copy, too. >> Could we ask the city for their statistics? >> I Yeah, I can do that. >> Thanks. >> I mean, that's easily done. It's not anything new. Same way with volunteer
services. What what exactly how what's the breakdown? and uh you know actually you know all of them on the list again if they're falling under that 5013C and maybe I've got it wrong maybe there's so many numbers but there are state requirements >> but IRS 9994 adjust to all those things if you want that information
>> yeah but I but the advocacy center it's it's not a nonprofit it's the city of >> and I did email the ones that we had to you >> yeah but we haven't gotten them all I mean I guess I'm seeing in our process We
should ask for copies of anything they have to file with any other state organization. >> And has Smith been here yet this year? >> Yeah. >> Okay. The new director came. >> Yeah. Yeah. Earlier in hot summer time,
I think he was here. And I know the soil and water conservation wants more, but there's been a lot of money flowing into from the one water shed programs. Um, and I guess I'm not 100% sure of their, you
know, their capability to recoup some of their expenses with that new money that's come in. Um, >> I think that it's hard for them because it's all so much tied to a specific grant and they sometimes need discretionary money that they can do whatever with >> their elected body approved it and
that's a financially conservative group of people unless things have changed since you were there. I prepared >> having sat on that board the difficulty is the funding. It's very unique. You know, you hear about, hey, we're funded from so many
different maybe organizations or whatever it is. 99.9% of the funding is usually comes with strings attached and it does not always necessarily work out in the timing, >> but you have to learn to pull those
>> 10 years of being on that board. I would have loved to simplify it and we've tried as many things as block grants. We've tried, you know, outside agencies. We've tried multiple ways to continue to keep that. And so the scary part is is
that just picture yourself as an employee not necessarily knowing if you're going to have a job in two years because if the funding source dries up. So what it does is it creates a scenario of trying to find just a couple qualified people when you interview them
and you say, "Hey, by the way, um, you may or may not have a job in two years. >> It's a grant-f funed position." >> 100%. And that's what makes it hard. So >> sat on this board. If you if you let me just finish for a second. The discretionary aspect is that the the
board itself just needs enough funding to stay operational and then whatever happens with the outside money they can appropriate that. So whether it's AIS or you know 319 grants whatever it might be. So they
need to just have something stationary enough so that they can solidify the personnel in the location so they can continue to do the good work. That's the way I see >> the angst I have with this though and I have sat on that board some of the angst I have about this whole thing about
water. One watershed one plan was supposed to take away all this angst. It was supposed to be consistent positive funding. It wasn't supposed to be all these grants and and the and again they said, "Oh, you're not going to have to file for all these compet that that that was a wish list that didn't hasn't come
true." There's still >> I don't disagree with that. >> And it and it actually is coming to that. So, there was 32 water boards. So, one of the things that's on the topic now that is public information is that Homemstead County has pulled out of Whitewater, right, which now puts us in
a scenario and you know, just yesterday, the day before, what day is it? Wednesday. >> Wednesday. >> Monday, I called Sheila Harms and said, "Sheila, where are we at?" >> And you know, we had to reassure each other that this is probably going to be the right move. But my number one thing
is because of the watershed plan that we have a lot more confidence today of pulling that which is saddens me to say I'm going to be the chair of a board that's going to shut that down but we see it as relevant because of that. So I
don't think it was the one wershed one plan as much hesitation as I had to that because it took local control away and brought it at a bigger level but it is going to dissolve some of these smaller water groups and have a little more
oversight. So but we just it's not going to happen like that. So it is happening and what's going to happen though is so the common consensus is is now we take the responsibilities of that and we go to the individual county SWCDs to now and in conjunction with one watershed.
So really in essence the responsibilities are going to fall back onto these SWCDs. So it's just not going to happen overnight as much as I wish it was and say the taxpayer money. Um, I saw it as another state power grab, but I'm starting to adapt to it a little bit
>> because I think five years is a little more than overnight. They've had plenty. Bowser's had enough time. They don't It doesn't get better. It seems to be getting worse. >> I think as the federal sources of grant money for agriculture are delayed or dry up or there's less of them, the money
that's coming from the legacy funds, so it's like about 305 million every by every two years. And that is the money that part of that that's a big the majority a big chunk of that goes to through Bowser to one wershed one plan plans across the state
>> we want something that's still funded when there's less funding through NS NRCS etc. My fear is that if we don't have local involvement that it'll get lost at the state level.
And so if we don't empower our local involvement, that is probably the strongest voice for a land owner, let alone a farmer. >> I agree with >> it's going to get lost in upper legislation because XYZ guy that doesn't
have time right now. That's the sounding board. and look at what it's composed of. Three out of the five, four out of the five members at one time were all farmers. So to me, that is and a lot of people ask me why I got on it because I
wanted to be a representative voice for agriculture and put a balance in there from I'm going to say two sides of the coin. So if we lose that, we lose I think the most local control we have as
an advocacy for land ownership. >> Also, >> I'm not saying losing local control. I'm all for that. But again, I I was at the onset of this one watershed and a lot of promises were made to us how this was going to work. >> And again, so my history tells me it didn't work out like they thought it was
going to. >> But I'm not going to shoot the local level for the state's decision. That's my thing. ones who are trusted, right? Soil, water, SWC's are trusted by agricultural producers. And where the University of Minnesota might tell you to do XYZ, it makes means a lot more if
it comes from a local organization that knows. >> So that's why I fought so hard when I was on the board when they passed the buffer rule, which was an absolute horrible thing to do because they Right. I see your weird
look, but >> already had a buffer line in Winona County when I >> Right. But when but let's just look at this as a grander thing. So I saw the confused look on your face, Commissioner Olson. Why would I say that? That was a horrible thing to do. >> I don't know. I'm waiting for you. >> I want you to look over here with a little smirk. So why would that be? I
mean, if you disagree with it, >> but we already had it. >> I I'm not saying as a whole. I'm saying as a state. The reason why is because they passed it down to the SWCDs and made them be the enforcer. So, Commissioner Meyer's comment that this is our local board that farmers should
trust and now you have these people out with a gun and a badge saying you will and it immediately discredited >> the SWCD. >> Didn't we give that authority to the SWCD because it was a county to enforce >> for $90,000?
>> Yes. So you guys collectively said dangled 90,000 in front of the SWCD and said you will enforce this which put us in a position to now play >> gun. No, you weren't. >> And we upset we upset a lot of farmers. >> Yeah, there's a lot >> I had tons of phone calls on that like
why I thought these guys were supposed to help us. So, we need to be careful what we do, which is why I was so against that because it actually discredited the SWCD and put us in a an enforcement action which should have never have happened. >> Good question. Can I borrow your power cord?
>> Sure. >> Do you support the 11,750 increase SWCD? Yeah, I I I think that's one of the few areas that I think just because I know what they need to do and it's it is the funding to that is so
erratic. >> Disagree. >> There's you can't I've sat on the board for 10 years and everybody knows I'm pretty conservative, but it is something that they have virtually no control and we have looked for outside sources of
revenue. I still Bill Roamp is a phenomenal person. and he brought some things the prior administration that I think should be visited. Wanda is listening um and that they should really look at those outside fundings, but it is very very slim pot to find outside
funding for that organization. >> If I could ask commissioners that we allow Department of Corrections to give you the restorative justice information that you would ask for at the >> back. Yeah. I I just glanced back and I'm like, "Oh, shoot. I forgot to have
them come on up and give their information. >> I'll just say it's a great conversation and if Elsing goes for it, I'll go for it. >> The one thing um so >> we can come back to because that's maybe we can have agreement that we'll fund FWC.
>> Well, on this chart you didn't >> you didn't put what the increases were. I don't remember >> reducing right. But who else asked for an increase? Were they the only one? >> No, the city did. >> Yeah, there's other city wanted more. Does this reflect?
>> This is what's in the budget which is straight lines. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, so the so before we change topics here, so the soil and water wants 170ome >> 11,75 >> more than the one. Okay. So, I'm I was
unclear what the Okay. So, it's plus >> you're saying 11 >> 11, >> what they asked for? >> But you said 11 first at 7 1150. Well, >> or do you say parents down? Didn't say 11 straight. I don't I'm just >> 11,000. >> Okay.
>> And who else on this list asked? I don't >> I I'd have to get back to you. I don't have that with me. >> Right. This This is what you Okay. >> Freezing everything. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Well, I recall when this came before us in a working session, it was so it
wouldn't come back in front of us again. Well, you know, we can leave the the thing of it is in a household budget, you know, you got to adjust. You only got so many dollars and lately, you know, just health insurance, uh, property taxes, home insurance, heating, fuel, um, you
know, just everything has has gone up. But there's only so many >> society that the budgeted amount could be lowered, >> but there is only so many dollars to spread and such. So to ask for more >> Yeah. when everybody else is struggling, it's it's very difficult. Okay. Um, what are you going to tell us about
>> restorative justice? >> And is there another sheet on that one? >> There was also the issue of >> there was a separate email >> returning doc back to the county. >> Yes. >> Oh, that you know, Marcia, this is the we got
>> it was emailed out to the board. >> When was that? >> Do you have an extra copy? >> Yeah, you got extra copy. >> You're so prepared. >> We get so many. >> I have one. >> You have one? >> I have one. Yeah, I got I'm giving another one to Marcia. >> The legislature sees us fit to violate
or change state law, so we're just not going to do this anymore. >> We'll let them take care of the criminals. >> I need it. Well, I brought restorative justice coordinator here to answer your question. >> She works in the trenches every day. So,
I figured I know some of you know a lot about our program. Um, and some of you might not know so much about it. So, that's why we're here today because I think there was some questions a little bit more. So, if you have questions, I don't know if you had a chance to look at the overview or if you just want to
shoot questions at us or if you'd like Katie to an overview that would be fine as well. >> How about a short over overview and then questions? >> Yes, sure. Perfect. >> So, hi, I'm Katie Kuyak and I'm one of the restorative justice coordinators for Winona County. Uh me and my co-orker, we do a multitude of programs throughout
restorative justice. We work with youth ages 10 to 18 throughout Winona County. Uh our primary function is juvenile diversion programming and the goal of restorative justice diversions is to hold youthful offenders accountable while repairing harm for victims and the
community. This is done through the circle process. Additionally, Winona County Restorative Justice offers many other services including community work service, a one-on-one community- based mentoring program, a life skills course, truency intervention programming, and a
multitude of circle processes. and also decision points programming. Is that it? >> I was gonna say if you want me to go into like each program, I can. Um or if there's specific questions
>> to help me understand um how many people get served? I mean, I'm trying to figure out the like kind of a like how many people did you help and is there a cost per person, right? So I I tried to figure that out, but there are
some things that aren't on here. So for example, um when you talk about uh the 88 support circles under treatment court, how many people is that? >> So right now we currently have 13 and we
have two more coming in this week. So we'll be at 15. And then when you say that you trying to think where you had done worked with kids but then you're saying that oh under community group conferencing facilitate our first adult community group conference in 2025 and
how many people did you serve? >> We just did the one. So Karen had sent us an email with this case and just asked if this is something we would be willing to try and just to see how that went. It was it was very successful. We
enjoyed it. We let our supervisor know that it went well. We let Karen know and we would be interested in doing more. >> That was just like >> it was a college student. >> So we are looking at expanding into the colleges. >> Okay. So what's definition of went well?
>> It was successful. He completed the program, the circle process, the community group conference, the victim. >> What was the offense that he was? >> Maybe explain what it is that >> Yeah. What did they do that got him in this situation? >> Sure. So he was intoxicated
and downtown here and outside he had an altercation with another person that >> 18 years old. >> This was a college >> college student. So he was in his >> from 10 to 18. >> No no right. >> That's our primary function is 10 to 18
>> adult community. >> Oh okay. 18 plus. >> So this was our first young adult conference that we did. So, he was downtown outside of a bar, got into an altercation with another male, and it just kind of escalated. He ended up pulling a knife on this person. So, he
was referred to our program. We were able to bring him in, the victim. Uh, we have a community member who comes in with an unbiased opinion of the situation. So, just kind of getting the community's input, how this impacts the community, just kind of getting other
people's perspective. again, not knowing the offender or the victim. And then we ask the police officers if they're able to come and this one they were able to. So, we just bring everybody in into a room. We have rounds of questions that we go through and just kind of hearing
like what led up to this incident, why did this incident occur? How can we prevent this from happening again? And then we repair the harm. So, he has a contract or our participants have contracts that they have to complete that we all agree to by a deadline. If they complete that, we do send them back
as successful. >> Like what what do they have to do? >> Pick up garbage or patrol. >> Anything can be on a contract. It can be apology letters, community service, self-reflection papers. It can be we've
had kids clean out um the police cars because they did damage to property. if we kind of do whatever the offense was. We try to make sure something on the contract pertains to that incident so they can kind of get that full
visual. >> Yeah, go ahead. Um what Chris was asking I think and I'm also going to ask maybe in a different way is on the different categories like truency early intervention it says 23 out of 31 truency diversion 29 out of 41. This is
a large budget item. It's a quarter of a million $243,000. How many total people do you work with or in are these when it's 31 students 41 students 14 juveniles successfully are these are the in unique individuals different or are
they repeats how many help us justify $243,000 >> so for each category so if you're looking at the truency early intervention those 31 students those are just those 31 students okay that doesn't >> carry over into the truency diversions
which would be 41 students >> but Those would be completely separate. >> The next category is also completely different. >> Correct. Yep. >> Because I've been a part of two support circles. It's been a number of years. Been a while. Um but I haven't to be honest with you, I've not heard much about restorative justice in the schools
for a while, for a couple years. So the program is still active in >> it is. >> Yep. And we're still in the schools. We have monthly meetings at or excuse me, weekly meetings at the high school that we're a part of for our truency early interventions and truency diversions. and notice you guys. >> Yeah.
>> Where do you guys meet? >> Um just in a conference room in the >> counseling office. >> Yes. Yep. >> Every Monday morning. >> So question truency. What what's the parents commitment and involvement in this?
>> How do I why why aren't we holding them if your kid isn't in school and they're 10 to 18? Where why aren't you what's the consequence to the parent? >> So if they It is falls under uh child
welfare. So if it weren't to be successful and it does go to court, the parents are just as much at fault, they have to participate in court. They are juvenile. So they >> Well, even be court is too late because court is how many times? Seven. >> Yeah.
>> Seven. No. Then you've created a habit. So to break the habit, you guys know this. This is your field. I mean this is not mine. But to break the habit, you can't let them pull off seven unexcused abs. Do the parents are the parents notified and and called into these
sessions too? Is there consequences for the parents? >> We have no control over the parents which is the problem. >> Well, that is a problem because the parents are >> Yeah. The only because the early intervention of the truency, you have the control over the student at that
point, but even then they don't need to comply with anything. >> Yeah. They're a minor. They can tell you to go buzz up. >> Yeah. And then the parents are involved in that. And then even at that point, we can, you know, we enforce court orders, but we have no ultimate control over if they don't do that.
>> It just seems back into the court system. >> I know you've been here before and I I I mean this is ludicrous that we don't hold the parents >> because they're responsible for them. As a parent, I'm responsible for my kid. They're older now, but I still feel
there's a certain commitment and responsibility as a society. We have really failed, but we continue to fail. >> I think that kids don't >> kids don't end up here unless >> nowadays. >> What? >> Should be in education nowadays. >> I should No, no, I thought about that once. I should have gone into the
military. >> We don't I think many times kids don't end up here unless there are family problems to start. >> Well, I know. So, again, >> we agree with you. We agree with you. Teachers, we would love to have parents involved who support them. Oh my god. started. >> Well, I mean, can't we do something? So,
if your kid's missing from school >> Okay, so how what explain the process? Okay, so I got a teenager and they don't show up to school. What happens if I'm the parent? What when do I know they're not in school? >> So, what the school is doing if a kid is
missing in a even a class period, the parents get notified via text, email, phone call from the school and they'll get a letter in the mail at one unexcused absence for a full day, three unexcused absences, five, and then at 7.
At 7 it is sent to Health and Human Services for a child welfare check. It then gets sent to our office. We contact the parent, kind of let them know, hey, your student or your child has hit seven unexcused absences. What's going on? Why
is this a reoccurring pattern? They can work with us in a TROY diversion program. Otherwise, at that time, they would be sent to court if they choose not to. >> And what's the court do? Slap their hand and say, "Now, Johnny, you'll go to school." >> So, they get put on with a social worker, her name's Georgia, and she
works with them. She can kind of get things kind of evaluate the family, their needs, what is the issue. It could be chemical dependency assessments, it could be mental health issues, whatever that would be. And she can make those referrals um as needed for whatever the
child needs. >> Okay. This this is philosophically this is very disturbing to me. I mean >> of course >> if if I could just >> ludicrous that we've allowed this and we continue to allow it and we don't seem to put the screws to you know somebody
that needs to be held responsible. >> Well yeah it's a bunch of crap >> this I mean >> words of wisdom. >> Yeah. Well, and I'm I I I just want to reflect on as county attorney now for 15 years, but before that, I was a public
defender and a mother of three children who probably graduated from Winona High School and went through the whole system. Um but um we do have a system in my office by ma by law and I just want to speak to this because restorative
justice is so important and it's part of our I am uh and it's 388 uh.24 pre-trial diversion programs for juveniles. that by statute I am required as county attorney to have a diversion program for juveniles um which we've had and and
with the with collaboration with restorative justice we've been able to make that program much more robust um there's been ups and downs because sometimes the schools I'll say this and my husband full not just school board
>> but that doesn't help sometimes um because the schools don't always want to cooperate Um, and that's why you probably saw maybe Commissioner Veel, you may have noticed that there was maybe not as much restorative justice at the high school um for a while and
that's because we have to work with the the school officials and they don't, you know, everybody likes to be in their own silo. So, but I would like to say in support of restorative justice that in looking at, you know, whether it's discretionary because one of the first
things that that um was on that original memo of of the last Yeah. >> Um we work hand inand with restorative just and our pre-trial diversion program wouldn't work as well without it. In
fact, the statute um suggests and not even suggests really kind of says that um working with corrections um and so we have put together that program but yes I mean they they have their annual golf tournament which I've played in um and
it's a great program >> um it raises money but that's not enough um um and Mr. Veel you talked about well how many kids does this really reach to um it's sort of like the treatment court program where you reach one kid and that
it's like a you know, you throw a pedal or pedal a rock into the the pond and the ripple effect is huge. Um, so you know, we reduce the number of truencies, we reduce the number of juvenile delinquencies. I don't know if we have
statistics on that, but it's the same kind of theory of and um, yes, the parents I I I was frustrated with the parents when I was representing kids as a public defender. I'm um frustrated with the
parents as as um the county attorney and I would note and that during parent teacher conferences and maybe you saw this too um Commissioner Ward because I know you had kids at the high school. You you start at the parent teacher conferences the first of the fall and then the number of parents drops off
considerably by each quarter of the but um but you know we just have to keep working at it because if we stopped it would get way worse. take away their cell phones, get their attention. >> I think there's that special done. >> Well, that's that it's a discussion at the schoolboard level, I think, and some
schools have done it. So, >> no, let these kids out here where they they don't have any they could with all their friends and such. Just get rid of I mean, what you got to get something that gets their attention. I mean, seriously. >> So,
>> thank you for all the work that you do in on juvenile and juvenile diversion because it's real important. I know you work with all three school districts, St. Charles, Louis, and Winona. >> 130 kids, unique individuals. Is that ballpark? >> I did some quick math.
>> It could very well be. Yes. But I mean that fluctuates year to year. >> Can you find that and share to share with us is like what the range is from year to year. I know that our well, I should say my school district was was more difficult to work with for a while.
Hopefully that's gotten better. >> It's gotten better. Um >> I think though that WAPS has I okay the number of of uh truencies cases from St. Charles and Lewis and Alura are much less. Oh, they're all and juvenile delinquencies two
>> almost non-existent compared to WPS. >> Yeah. >> Um is uh I have to ask Miss Holty. I think in the line item budget then is is restorative justice one grouping one fund is all their expenses. >> It's a department. >> Yeah. So it's listed in here. I remember
seeing >> actually it's under department of corrections. It's part of >> 43,000. >> Okay. Yeah. >> Yeah. I didn't remember it was a huge number. If you could just give us the numbers justify that's a large and but we also there was um on one of
the forums it talked about doc bring back to the county can help >> you have any more questions from justice >> we just get those numbers to marine >> I don't know just threaten them to take their cell phone away and see what kind of reaction
what kind of >> what kind of reaction you would get from I mean, I got I got >> I don't know. It sounds kind of dangerous if you ask me. >> Not support you. >> I know, but that's okay. I don't care. I don't need a lot of friends or anything. >> Yes.
>> Yes. It's it's >> as a society, I think it's going to be marked as a really downfall >> of the schools. >> Yeah. It's the parents. That's That's right. That's right. >> So much. Thank you so much. Tell Verizon
to send spend some of their10 billion dollar they spend on advertising to restorative justice. >> Because they're contributing. >> Would love that. Yeah, >> they're contributing. >> Go ahead. >> Okay. I know there were some questions
on the funding formula. Um >> try to explain this >> and AMC worked on that and we were all supposed to get more. >> Oh, we for a short one. onetime money. Yep. Yep. They worked hard on that. I know they did.
>> Yes. Yes. And I >> I've been here for over 28 years. Lorian's been through the whole thing with me and we talk every single year about funding and the formula and it's never been totally fun ever. Some years it's a little bit better and
we think, "Oh, we're getting up there closer to what it should be." And all of a sudden it tanks the next year. So they did come up with this new funding formula. Basically all 87 counties get a base rate of 150,000 all counties and
then from there they go to the individual county and they take three years they took three years of the averages for the cases and that's with felons felony cases misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor cases
and juvenile cases separate from that. So the rate that they give for A felony case is $562 and then the misdemeanor and gross miser is half of that which is 281. They took that over the three-year
average for Winona County and that's where they came up with. >> So what are we supposed to do with that $281? Run the whole gamut of things. >> Well, I mean that this is what they're charging. This is what we are paying
department of correct and that's part the whole formula I'll tell you um there's a lot a lot of us are in this position it's not by any mean just >> yeah it's not unique to Winona County >> yeah and
we were not pleased the years that they used were during co so I know county I mean we did a lot >> of stuff in our court system and car probably speak more to that than I can So, of course, our numbers were lower during co >> Sure.
>> with the charging with the with everything. Um, >> you know, and some counties didn't go to the whole Zoom platforms and all that kind of stuff. They had more inerson stuff, but we did um since the three years that they did the study. Now, they'll do it in three more years. So,
that formula is going to change again. >> Um, but all these programs and the sheriff said and everything, we're reducing that. So, we're only cutting our own It's we're still supervising the felons, the misdemeanor grosses. Um I would say
if we did not have those programs, we would be needing more staff on the probation and parole end of it. The numbers were lower during that time. Like I said, I know there's already been an increase. I know Karen and I have had several conversations about different
levels of of supervising. And it also takes into account the risk and needs of those clients which in um you know the higher risk higher need the more services that person needs. So they take that into
account too. Um so that's where they got the formula. I guess that's the simple version that I can explain to you how they came up with that. >> So okay so let me I'm trying to understand this. Okay. So you're saying there were less um convictions and then
less people being in probation during the pandemic. >> Yes. >> And the look back is three years. So that's 24 23 22 >> 21 22 and 23 >> to get our numbers. >> Okay. Well, everybody's >> and that's why it's up is because it was
lower in 1920 and maybe 21. So they're gonna they're doing another study but it's then >> you know we that won't change for the other >> but it's gonna provided that there have been as many people in the system they if this is the new high this won't go
down. >> Yes it will >> it will go down because >> Winona County will get more money. We used to and Marine might have to help me. We used to get this. It was a subsidy. So how they used to do it is they would send the county whatever the
subsidy was which was never close to what it was the statute said of course >> then we would get a bill >> so then we then we would take that money that we got and we would pay back and pay whatever the extra is now we don't get that subsidy the state keeps that
and just sends us the bill >> for the difference >> yes and they are saying that that's supposed to be simpler I don't know yet because we're in the >> yet yet to see Yeah, we will we will see. Um, and I know it was created some issues with us here in Mona County because we're on over the year the
states on fiscal year some of the counties have changed some of how they know that's how we do it here. But we've kind of kept on top of that over the last 28 years because we knew that's how it was going to play out. >> But I think the question is and different counties. So you guys are
state employees and we get the bill. Some counties, right, >> have their own community, >> community corrections. Is there any >> benefit monetarily for us to switch systems? Now, of course, you're close to your retirement, I'm sure. I mean, so,
but I and I'm sure you're biased um having worked in the system to say anyway. Yeah. >> So, why would why would would we want to change? >> Well, I don't know of that. I sent an email with the list. I don't know. >> Oh, no. >> Okay. um taking all of that stuff out of it
and I suggest just looking at money because I'm hoping I near retirement but that's not going to be for a while. So I'm here >> I've heard that that's a rumor. >> I know I know it's a rumor. I'm here for the long haul. Um so we if Winona County
takes it off comes back like how we used to have it >> they will be paying the same amount. that that formula does not change if your CPO, CCA or DOC that does not change >> and it's based on our felons,
misdemeanor gross. So that does not change. >> But additionally, we will be getting the county will be getting a lot of other costs on top of that that they are currently not paying for. Um, for example, they're not paying for
supervisor and a support staff supervisor. So that would be >> offices, equipment, >> um the for our felony office right now, they they pay nothing. The county pays absolutely nothing. Um in our courthouse, we are housed in the courthouse for the misdemeanors and
juvenile. So we have space, but the state provides us with all of our IT equipment, all the IT. Um we do all of the hiring all so it's all the personnel stuff and along with that comes all of the liability the insuranceances all
that kind of stuff all employee development is paid for by the the state um financial services their the different types of programs that we have and lensures like our we call it CSTS it's a court services
tracking system so we have to pay license for that um the individual assessments we have to do that we are required to do on all the clients the state pays for all the assessments they pay for the lensure the copyrights all that kind of stuff um all like I said
all the trainings the legal the state pays for anything legal should there ever be something come up with that all of our safety type stuff any type body armor that's that's all paid for by the state and the travel and business expenses we also do have
>> but they must have all that figured into what the bill they send us. >> No, it's different. The bill they send us, it says right on there. It's for the salary and benefits. It lists it right out what it's for. That is totally separate. >> Why would any county what are the
advantages? Just be done with that again. >> Yeah. Why are some other counties and >> some of the other counties they're choosing just to have it so that they can run it? Like it used to be that way. >> What discretion would we have if we can deviate from state law? It's like guns and rifles to
>> you could provide more programming. >> Yeah, there more programming which is why some of the counties are doing it. They want the more programming. Um and they want that how we used to have it here. >> The judge basically was the supervis or
kind of oversaw the department's office. I know you were upstairs part of that. So, and then right now also part of this um is we can do some more sharing, if you will, of resources. So,
I have a staff person that's possibly going to retire shortly after the year. So, then we will not be filling that position because I will be shifting duties within our county um with the felony office and we will be able to do that more crossing of duties. So that
will decrease our bill right there. >> So didn't does each count didn't Houston and Filillmore share something >> with Mstead? I think >> Dodge Filmore and >> Yeah. Don't they do something collaboratively? >> Yeah. >> So now it's Dodge
>> and they're a CCA I think. >> Okay. Right. >> Yep. And I'm not sure why they I I don't >> And again, I mean, if you are familiar with that, they have a ton of program. Yeah. >> A ton of extra program that they wanted and that they fell. So, >> right. I mean, because they pay for it.
>> Yeah. They pay for it. >> I mean, they have a special >> They have a huge budget. >> Yeah. They're they're we a whole different >> They have a special commitment about never incarcerating youth. And so, they have they have especially I think focused on youth programming. >> G, do they have a truency program? Do
they have a truency problem? Maybe we could learn something. >> I think that's answer that's answered our questions. >> Yeah, >> I want to set you free to go out. I don't want to I don't want to force you to I just I feel like I could talk to you for an hour.
>> Questions or you need >> Mr. Ell's got a question. >> Not fair. >> Oh, thanks for question. Thanks for everything you do. Thank you for your patience. >> One of the this is just something that in the back of my mind I keep talking about this and
and think think Thank you. >> One of the things that you know we look at these outside agencies and we haggle over 5,000$10,000 $15,000 and feel like we're doing something good
to the taxpayer and in a way we are. Don't get me wrong, but just while we were doing this, I went through this all 100 pages, whatever it is, of the budget here, and I just started looking at expenses again,
and I just see some major discrepancies in some of the things that we budget. For example, and I'm not picking on any, but one that really comes to mind is that our electricity bill at the jail in 2024 was 80,000. went to 170,000.
How does that happen? Did we leave every light on? You know, I look at some of these things and then the gas bill was zero and we budgeted 40,000. How does that happen? You know, wait, my question is this. I'm not looking for specific answers.
I go back to what we've said before. When I was a kid growing up on the farm, we didn't have anything. So, when fuel prices went up, we turned the thermostat down. I remember many many times going to bed cold and getting up in the morning and running downstairs because we didn't have heat upstairs and we go
sit on the heat register and the end of the day there's definitely things we got to fund but I look in here and I just ask myself this question and this is this is just a rounded question not pinpointed to anybody I look at the amount of money I just started sum totaling just a line items supplies
I own a multi-million dollar company I know what our supply budget is >> huge >> and it's a massive number when you start community like adding all these departments up what they're spending in supplies and and it lumps in. I look at the professional contracted services and you know you look at all these things
and yet we sit back here and we pick on these little groups out here and then we narrow a 27% down to nine and feel like we did something. My question is is in the rest of this stuff outside of
what we're focusing on here, we could fund all of this with just a few few simple things over here on discretionary items and not even have to have this conversation about the rest of it. So my question is this. Are we confident in
this three four three 2,000 maybe line budget that that is 100% efficient where we can say every dollar spent on a membership deal, every dollar spent on
supply, every dollar spent on because this is what I do in my business. I want to know down to the toilet paper. That's a true statement that those things are happening with maximum efficiency and that hey we did need to buy this or we did need to do this or we
do need to belong to this uh membership or we are doing the things that are necessary. Um that's my question. We never seem to review this. We seem to review this and we scrutinize the ever living crap out of this and we walk away from
arguably 95% of the cost to run government which is in here and we focus on this 5% and we try to whittle it down. So the question becomes starting to look into this side of things and saying hey is it necessary
that some of these things are actually happening and going back and reviewing some of that which I know administrator hold that you do that but we don't ever seem to hear hey by the way XYZ department realized that they're on a true story from my wife who's a director
they're on an auto renewal program and we've got storage closets full of diapers that we didn't even know about because somebody just kept sending them and somebody just kept putting them in the closet. So, adult diapers. So I I just have to put into my business
mindset both myself and my wife who are in those types of positions and say hey what are we doing for the confidence of the board to ensure when I look at these massive massive expenditures that hey
there wasn't out of five to $78,000 that that couldn't have been $68,000 there's your money for children. That's my question. And like I said, we we focus on this 5%. We let the 95 go. I
would really like to have a little more confidence when I look at this. One of them was the the environmental. I started looking at the environmental hazardous waste. I thought, well, that's got to be to get rid of it. Nope. Lo and behold, there's a line item down below for another million dollars to get rid of it. I'm like, holy, we have that much
waste in Winona County that we've got multi-million dollars worth of expense. So, I just I'm trying to figure out like there's so many dollars here that we don't even look at. How can we begin to I'm not going to I don't want to use the word scrutinize, but to better
understand that we can incorporate some of these large expenditures and put a little more focus on that, which might free up some of the dollars for the little more of the philanthrop or the philanthropy side of things. I think um
I have had, if not 10, a hundred people come up to me and say, "How do you like being on the county board?" And I say I think we spend a fair amount of time focusing on a small percentage of things we have control of and we need to spend more time on looking at some of the bigger stuff because when you look at a $70
million budget a give or take and we're always focused on the same million three kind of sort of deal. Um really I I I think there's so many more things we can dive in and in one way I would love to hear that it's 100% and another way I'd love to
hear that it's not. You know what I mean? because it's not about pointing fingers. It's just really saying, "Are we doing the best job?" And I get that question more than what I think. And I think a lot of it is from fellow businessmen, fellow farmers that have to do this type of thing on a daily
basis to keep their businesses and farms going. So, you mean to tell me that they're 100%, you know, I'm summarizing, leaving out the swear words and I can't answer the question. So, is there a way that we can, and I
know Commissioner Ward had alluded to a while, breaking up some of these departments and really evaluating and saying that, and I know that as administrator, you oversee some of that, but it'd be nice to have a little more evidence, I think, because I I I do believe there has to be some areas in
here where we can say, "Hey, I brought one up at the last meeting. Hey, I mean, this is our only option. We have no other ways to try to check some and balances." So that's what my two-minute thing on this that I just sometimes get a little frustrated. We sit here and pick people apart when I look at all
these numbers and go, man, there's got to be some inefficiencies in there. >> So um well, let's let Miss Holy, you have confidence in it. >> This is something that Administrator Holty and I talked about when we met to talk over the the stuff that's in our
packet today. So um I'm hoping she'll be able to share this with all of you. This is coming from the county administrative group. That's Maxa. >> Yeah. Um and so our >> what is what what's the list? What what >> the list is the percentage of levy or
counties this 37 or 38 counties that go toward goes towards health and human services. Okay. Now, our budget is uh going to be about 21 million and HHS is one of the big areas of the county's expenses, probably the biggest and the
most employees. So, Winona County, 29% in 2025, uh 29% of our uh HHS budget was paid by the levy. The average for the 37 or eight counties that are part of this
group is more like 22. And that would be million and three quarters. So they are clearly figuring out ways to collect more revenue or manage their services in a more efficient way. And I so I think
that there is a place for improvement. I don't think it's a thing that we can do by the end of this year, but I think it's something that administrator Holty would like to do. And now that we have a new HHS director, I mean, we've really kind of been empty for a couple years.
Um, I think that's a thing that we could pursue that would really help. >> Well, and I I just go along the concept of this isn't pointing fingers. It isn't about that. It's I I I I literally want to know the cost of a toilet paper roll because if you
use enough toilet paper rolls, it adds up, right? That's the thing. So, at the end of the day, when you begin to scrutinize or line item things out and say, "Hey guys, is this really necessary?" The idea to me is that it's not going to come probably from one big thing. It's probably going to be
hundreds of small things, >> literally. >> Yeah. But I think what we've learned is, for example, that >> if we don't have the right ratio of clients to social case workers, we get reimbursed at a lower rate. >> I'm not even talking HHS. I'm just saying as a whole.
>> But that means managing our staff can increase our revenue, right? >> So I I mean, I really think we should we should be doing all those things. So, I just, you know, I look at, you know, human resources. There's $22,000 budgeted for advertising.
Is that necessary? There's a couple thousand maybe we wouldn't need there, right? We do one less little thing, whatever it is. There's two grand that frees up to fund another project. Like I said, I I think there's there's so many things in here that we could maybe say, "Hey, is this nice to have or is it necessary to have?" And we can squeeze
some of those dollars out. show a realized value of those dollars and say, "Hey, we've found x amount of dollars. We're going to take a percentage of those and give back to these types of deals where we still have a taxpayer savings. We can still continue to do some of these things and everybody kind
of wins." So, yeah. And I'm not picking on any group, any department, any anything. But same way, I just I would have to think that somewhere in here we could say, "Hey, discretionary, let's define nice and neat.
Yeah. And I'm not >> So, first of all, I trust our leadership. They have worked very hard at fine-tuning their budgets. Um, I do trust them when they say, "I need XYZ in
order to do my job." Um, I have asked them to go back, sharpen the pencil, see what else we can do. and a lot of them are doing an awesome job at even squeezing more and I'm very appreciative of that. But even
Commissioner Elsing, to your point, Winona County has room for improvement. I think every organization does, but it takes time >> to do those kinds of analysis.
um just as I shared with Commissioner Meyer that you know I've been in this role technically probably a couple of years but um the ability to actually do the role the way it needs to be done we need to have full capacity with our
leadership team. So with all due respect I I do believe we're working on those improvements. Um the autoome placement is an example of where you know that's a high ticket area and I felt we have to
do something. Um but these other pieces all are going to take time. I do not see the ability to get to a single digit by the end of December with I I just don't see it and I'm being completely honest. Can I go through and
nickel dime nickel dime on the budget? Absolutely. Is that going to get us $600,000? No. >> Do you get an exact The one of one of my pet peeves is that professional services and contracts. So when you ask a department head to do that, is that
broken down nickel to nickel? >> We have done better on this last round because we are asking more specifics. We're having itemized. >> Okay. So now Okay. So I'm looking at page 274. >> One second. other I'll let you defer to
you is that >> I if I skip lunch which I'm fine with I I can leave at 12:30 at the latest but I'll be leaving about 12:30 just to adds up everybody else I'll just skip one >> okay but I got page 274 this is where you know when you start looking at this thing this is the the figures don't add
are disturbing to me it's the transportation sales tax so um the sales tax back in 2025 you had it uh 3.8 8 million and now 2026 you got it down to 27. >> What's a why the drop in sales stat? >> While you're looking, Marina, this is
what I wanted to jump in and say that a lot of what Josh said I agree with in terms of we spend way too much time, you know, debating over nickels and nickels and pennies and nickels. If you're talking about dollars, big bigger bigger dollar amounts >> that people were to go through the line item budget, which is a good thing for
all of us. Greg, you pointed out some things with like some of the capital costs that they seem out of whack if people could ask Marine those questions. Then the answers be shared with all of us like >> but I mean this is a million dollar revenue shift. I think that would be good if we all did that is like just
like Greg pointed out some things with the capital budget that seemed out of line if just asked that and then let her and the staff answer and then share it with us all because I do think we'd spend too much time over pennies and nickels when >> it's not a user friendly document and I don't know for years how how we would
make it more user friendly. >> I don't think it's bad but I've looked at thousand of these. I my point was not specific and it wasn't entitled to point a finger. My point is I know we can there's no business, no
government, no entity, no household, no anywhere that's running at 100% efficient, right? So there's always room. So my question my mine is more of an 80,000 40 to 80,000 foot approach that just simply says the amount of time we spend on a very small portion of our
budget I think dis is disproportionate if I sat on a business I've been on boards for other companies the first thing you do is evaluate what do you spend your time on >> y >> and you go down every department head what are you spending your time on and then you come back and you say okay in
that time what do you spend your time on and how much of that time are you spending your time on? And I just this is what keeps coming into my mind is like we spend so much time on this and it would be interesting to justify and like I said I I believe that these
things and I appreciate the high-end tackle. Let's go after the big dogs, right? But I also think there's a lot of things in small revenue that it's just nice to have. Well, yeah, I love having a big supply expense because I ain't got to worry about whether I want colored paper or not. I'm saying that hypothetically, but there are some businesses that will scrutinize and say,
"You only get one package of orange paper and that's all you get." Right? Because again, at the end of the day, every packet counts. Every toilet paper roll counts. That's all I'm trying to say is that I think we could put more time into the other 95% of the budget collectively is everybody's wisdom to
try to help that out and and and give our input on some of these things, catch mistakes, and maybe there's a way that we could could do more of that. I I want to agree with all that. At the same time, I'm I would I what I anticipate yes to all those things is that if we ask Marie to follow up 19 out of 20
times, we'll find out there's very good reason. I also have a trust and faith in our leadership. Are we missing some key people to make the process? Yes, for sure. The district the county has not been operating at full strength for quite a while, >> but I also trust and respect our
department heads. But it's good for us as public stewards of taxpayer dollars to do that as what you're saying. I absolutely agree with that. I think we I I hope I dissipate that in the past when I've asked questions. I've gotten good answers for that. We should for sure >> do what you're saying.
>> And I I just want to give a suggestion and I'm not here to tell anybody how to do their jobs or anything like that, but for I just use this as an example. What you tend to see is the cost goes up. You know, we know exponentially. You can see it here over and over 24 25 26 and we just assume there's going to be a cost
goes up. And really in reality, most businesses work by the other way. They really look at how do we reduce the cost. So you've got a cost today, your challenge is to cut 10% out every year until you get down and basically say no, we no longer can do this. And
exponentially, if we if we show that the trend goes this way, of course, generally the money is going to get spent. Not all the cases and you know I've read probably 500 lines of this not in all cases but are we managing it under the context that says hey and I'm just arbitrarily throwing something out.
I'm looking at I'll pick one supplies. Okay there's always at the bottom it's always supplies. Hey your supply budget is $2,500. Guess what? It's not going to go over that for the next five years. You better figure out how to make it work. I'm saying that arbitrarily and basically say can you do with what you
do today and prove it to me. Are do we have policies in place like that or is it just simply hey every year exponentially this is going to go up a little bit because we know it goes up. It's a it's an it's an open door to spend that may not necessarily be to spend. I don't know how it's being regulated, but just putting in policies
into place so that people have parameters in which their budgets are created in and they might have to rob computer to pay Paul to get through um just like we would you know in any household or things like that. So >> well look and again I'm not picking on Dave, it's just where my computer landed
that sales taxes question. So here's one that there's a lot of inconsistencies in this. Okay, so erosion control. Okay, in 20 actual 2024 we had zero. In 2024 budget we have budgeted 115. In actual
2025 we have zero but we budgeted 11,000 in 2025 budget. And then when we go to the last column the 2026 it's it's down to zero. So did we really spend that 11,000 in 2025? I mean it just happens to be one line item that pops up here. I
see that when I look at this document, I see inconsistencies um that we budgeted, did we really spend it? Um >> well, I think what I tend to see in those situations is is >> it might have been budgeted, but then there's no it's it's getting reallocated
into something else. Well, we went over here and we were under here. It's a license to spend. So, um, what is it that you might need from us that we haven't given you yet today, seeing as, uh, Commissioner Begley's got to go >> in 10 minutes? >> Yeah. >> Well, >> you guys can keep on going.
>> I I think there's a limit to the usefulness of this. >> I agree. >> I agree. Um, >> yeah. Our focus, but I mean there look at these things. It's >> I I believe I have an understanding of the direction of the outside agency.
there's some things that I need to follow up um and provide the board so that you can make a educated decision. Um before Commissioner Vagley needs to go, I'd like to just touch briefly on
the document that was handed out today, which is the what 2027 budgetary items do we already know about? >> Yeah. >> So, does everyone have that document?
Um, so I'm not going to read all of this to you, but I wanted to kind of lay out these are the things that are on the radar. Um, we already know that we're going to have changes coming legislatively,
rules, regulations, etc. Um, when you have an opportunity, pre please read through that. Um my intent is to have us thinking forward about what's coming down the pike and how are we going to best position Winona County to minimize the amount of levy that we're going to
need. Um so if we were to so if you flip it to the backside again I'm kind of going through this very quickly. Um, you know, I just took a couple of items and calculated the uh anticipated levy based
on 2025's levy data, meaning 1% equals the $256,000 and then equate just the SNAP administrative cost an anticipated health insurance and wages. And that's including uh, you know, like
a turnover savings of $400,000. But just those three areas is 9.35%. So if we look at all the other items that we already know, we have to have a more strategic
approach to budgeting. Um I've been with the county a long time. I understand what we're accustomed to, but we have to look at Commissioner Elsene efficiencies, structure,
um the fees, the revenues. I mean, we we need to do a full review. But again, that's not going to happen overnight. But I think we need to be planful and have dialogue the first part of 2026 to be planning for what are we
going to do to plan for 2027. We shouldn't wait until the budget to do that. >> Yeah. I just I think there's a lot of areas here we're budgeting for money and then what ends up happening is is we may or may not spend it and then it gets
found somewhere else to spend. And I I I think I think there's an >> tighten us up a little bit. >> I feel like we've had more transparency in this process than we have um in past years. I mean, I feel like we're moving in that direction. um when we had um Mr.
Elliott, he was going to implement costbased um budgeting, >> activity based >> activity based budgeting. And so I would like to see that come to fruition, which at least our first department so that we have some numbers to look at because I want to see if that's going to work. And
the second thing is if I I think we this whole thing about health and human services has a potential for tremendous savings. So, can we um can you put together whatever it is you might need to do that effort starting next year? Um
and then I think with respect to all of and this is for the county attorney as well. I know that you are working on ways to shift the resources in total we're got about like a half a million dollars worth of diversion programs if you think of all the CJC you know true
um all of those programs. So, are there some efficiencies that we can make there to not get rid of those programs, but to to sort of save some funds so that we can keep them for the long run? >> I've already been looking at sent me to that.
>> I mean, and I when I spoke with administrator Holty the other day, she said that there like are there some restorative justice grants that we could potentially go for and then are there some services because we do this in the RAP plus. we when we provide services for a client who's in RAP plus if we can
bill for it we bill for it. Are any of the services that we're doing in restorative justice things that the state could reimburse us for? >> We can look at and I've as as um Renee said, you know, we've we've always been working together
with restorative justice in my office because of the diversion requirement um which I would do anyways because it saves money. Um, oh yeah. Um, there's problem is is the grant opportunities have really dried
up. Gotcha. >> But, um, I know, uh, Gwen's had to leave, but we we have applied for and we're waiting to hear on a $300,000 grant that would be for, I believe, re-entry. So, >> yes.
>> And just a note for the board is that U. Jill Chafer, not Chaffer, sorry, >> Chief. JPY, I'll get it right. >> Longer. >> Sorry. Sorry. Um, we've already had discussions about the Health and Human
Services budget and we are developing a plan on how we're going to work through that entirely. >> It'll take her and both Bill a is he on board yet or is he still coming? >> Bill Monday. >> Monday. Okay. >> Monday. >> I know it take a while to get them on
board. >> Yes. >> And right on board. That's good to hear because that those are two important parts of the team that needs to you and everyone >> before me to help the bigger picture. Um, so just a note, we are working on it
and again, part of that data that I'll send out that I shared with Commissioner Meyer is exactly the kind of thing for the the department heads to have and to help contact those other entities and find out what are they doing that we're
not or vice versa. >> So, it's a work in progress. >> So, la before um what's a uh I haven't seen maybe I missed it uh our reserves Are we still healthy on reserves because I know you one >> I provided at the last meeting
>> you advocated uh was that by grouping I mean yeah we've gotten so many different things um but you were advocating spending quite a chunk out of reserves >> 1.1 million >> but what have we what's our history what have we returned into reserves >> that commissioner like if we if we
budgeted $11,000 for fabric control and we didn't do it did that 11 go back into the reserves >> it would have >> it would have Can we see what the change has been? How often do we >> I'll do my best. Um I'm stretched very thin right now. >> Yeah. Well, I think we still have a
healthy reserve. >> Yes, it was about 3.5 if I recall correctly, but we're recommending to use 1.1, >> right? >> Um the other thing is that, you know, as stated at the previous meeting, I'm anticipating at least $800,000 of
revenue that we may not get by the end of the year. So our budget may not look like it balanced. You know what I mean? >> Check that sales tax one. That seems odd. Why were >> we just didn't get it in? >> I mean if sales >> but I mean it's budgeted, you know, but
budget you have budget for 2026 a much significant lower dollar. >> If purchases are down talking about transportation or sales tax or the jail, >> the local and sales tax if purchases are down, >> right? But I don't think it's a million but it's budgeted. I mean, we're
budgeting less a million dollars less. >> I'm basing it on what we're received. Meaning, like the the last payment that we received 1888,000 for September. >> So, even if I take that times 12. >> Okay. >> That's what I have in there. >> Okay. Right. Well,
>> I mean, we're going to be, you know, 260,000. >> Yeah. >> Under for this year. >> Pardon me. >> We're going to be short $260,000 of revenue this year. this year just on that jail >> stack on the jail. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> And that's what I'm trying to say is
that >> right >> you know. >> Yeah. Well, it just didn't I mean it's a >> it's an estimate. I mean the budget is an estimate. It's the best estimate at the given time of compiling it. >> Right. >> Next year it'll be the first full year of the local option sales tax. This year
it'll be a better idea. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Well, but we've had the the sales tax for the transportation. So that should track it, right? >> And we've gotten a lot more than they ever anticipated with that. >> But I, you know, consumer confidence is at a 10ear low or some damn thing.
>> You're right. >> Yeah. Well, we got to use that for transportation, but it it's the key it's a uh >> that's a number. >> Yeah. A number that we see. Okay. >> All right. >> You guys keep on meeting. >> No, it's it's fine. I just I
I just there's some questions. Well, there's a lot of things in this thing that don't make sense. >> Please just send your questions to me so I can get you the answers. Please. >> Yeah. No, it's I just I I think that was more of an overlevel, you know, just an over high approach. There so many things
we don't talk about. >> All right. >> Second. Go spend some money. >> Spend some money. >> Spend some money. Oh, you mean sales tax? >> Yeah, that's what you mean. >> You're going to use that hard copy of the budget.
>> Yeah. Pardon me. >> Yes, I keep all that. I mean, I can look at it online, too. >> Well, I can too, but it's hard to Yeah, >> I don't at home. >> No, I don't print it all out. I can do it online, too. >> Looking at screens. It's gonna
>> have what? >> Spani. >> Is that allergies or do you have a cold? >> I think I'm getting cold. >> I got a lot of >> But my allergies have been the last couple days. >> They've been better. >> No. Crazy.
>> I was making noise. I didn't Oh, I'm sorry. Um, and I don't know if it's fall. I was, you know, raking leaves and shoveling stuff. Maybe that's >> out there. Yeah, that's >> inter. >> Oh, the work. >> Work. Yeah. >> Yep.
>> Okay. >> You know, and also keeping up with the bills because they in the boxes. >> Yeah. >> Um so I'll send an email about it, but >> then I'll work with Phil. >> Yeah. And that would
helps. >> I finally sent you your ranking >> of the capital improvements. One is absolute.