Winona County Board members unanimously adopted a preliminary 2013 budget calling for a zero percent increase in the property tax levy.
    
County Administrator Duane Hebert said it's  the fourth year in a row the county's tax levy increase has either been zero percent or below.

But Commissioner Marcia Ward warned residents a zero percent increase may not be reflected on the county's portion of their property tax statements

Commissioner Jim Pomeroy lamented that other counties in southeasternMinnesota will be increasing their tax levies after receiving big in creases in state aid funds...while Winona County lost 450-thousand dollars in state aid.

Between now and December, when a public hearing will be held,  the county cannot increase its tax levy, but it can reduce it.