At a glance: Winneshiek County supervisors approve opioid spending, hires, contracts and set levy hearing

The Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors handled several items by unanimous vote, including authorizing opioid-settlement fund expenditures, approving personnel actions, and advancing budget and contract items.

Opioid-settlement expenditures: The board authorized $33,180 to cover a three-day training and lodging for law enforcement and $20,000 to support the county's medication-assisted treatment program. The motion was moved, seconded and passed by voice vote with no dissent.

Personnel actions: The board approved the appointment of Kyle Miller to a fillable county position (motion and second; unanimous approval). Staff also reported the mechanic position is open to the public (two applications so far) and discussed internal promotion and scheduling implications for bridge crews.

Contracts and administration: The board voted to continue a contract with Solutions (county software vendor) while ISAC evaluates long-term options; it also approved a 3% cost-of-living contract increase for the VA counselor, both by unanimous vote.

Budget procedure and levy hearing: Staff presented the third run of the FY2027 budget and recommended setting a public hearing for proposed levy rates. The board set a public hearing for March 30 at 09:30. Board members also asked staff to prepare a fourth budget run that would add roughly $300,000 to an infrastructure fund for consideration.

Housing support: Supervisors approved a letter of support for a cluster-housing pilot grant application (no county funding required). The applicant described the proposal as a competitive, multi-stage federal process.

Property sale: Following a closed session on farmland near Freeport (Section 14), the board instructed staff to proceed with steps toward a sale and set a public hearing for next week as part of the process.

Consent agenda: Minutes, claims, a liquor license for Oneota Golf and Country Club, and a monthly VA report were approved as part of the consent agenda by unanimous voice vote.

All voice votes noted in this meeting were unanimous unless a specific roll-call tally is recorded in meeting minutes; staff indicated formal contract documents and budget amendments will be brought back to the board for signature and final action where required.