Winona County

The meeting focuses on a petition for a variance from the Winona County Zoning Ordinance requirements regarding soil classification for a proposed single-family dwelling construction. The Board will review staff findings and consider the applicant's request to build on a parcel consisting of class I through class III soils, evaluating factors such as practical difficulties, unique property conditions, and consistency with the comprehensive plan.

The committee discussed various infrastructure topics including winter gravel road maintenance practices, the transition of county route signs from a square format to a pentagon design per state manual updates, and specific alignments for County Road 39. The agenda also covered a comprehensive review of capital items for equipment, roads, and bridges, along with general maintenance and construction project status updates. Furthermore, the committee reviewed the status of the Road and Bridge Committee Operating Policy and established a schedule for upcoming meetings, including road tours and future committee sessions.

The County Board addressed several agenda items, including the approval of conditional use permits for private property projects and appointments to key positions such as the County Assessor. Discussions covered departmental recommendations regarding grant acceptances, program agreements, and policy updates. The Board also reviewed reports on department operations, engaged in discussions regarding the future budget, and considered the potential replacement of the state flag design.

The board meeting agenda focused on a petition by Jake and Edna Shetler regarding an after-the-fact variance request. The requested variances seek to allow a single-family dwelling to be located within 275 feet of a feedlot rather than the required 1000 feet, and to permit the dwelling's location on Class III prime soils instead of non-prime soils. The petition also includes a requirement for a conditional use permit due to the property size being less than 40 acres.

The board conducted an election of officers, selecting a new President, Vice President, and Secretary/Treasurer. New board members were welcomed and introduced to the Loan Committee's functions. The committee reviewed financial reports, including the impact of a recent cyber-attack on loan status, and discussed the status of various revolving loan fund projects. New business included a review of the 2026 coordinator's work plan, an update on the Comprehensive Plan's Economic Development chapter, and a discussion on the 2026 meeting schedule. Additionally, the board addressed potential budget impacts on EDA operations and evaluated the strategy for presenting their economic perspective to the County Board.