Minnesota and North Dakota Voter's Guide

Forum Communications Co., in collaboration with the League of Women Voters of Minnesota and of North Dakota, is providing this voter guide to help keep you informed ahead of the 2024 election.

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Voter Guide

Winona County Commissioner District 1

County commissioners are the county s key policymakers. They oversee the administration of the county, set county budget, and participate in county long-range planning. County services that they oversee include a wide variety of social service and welfare programs, as well as certain public health programs. Learn more about the day in the life of a county commissioner in this video from the Association of Minnesota Counties.

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  • Candidate picture

    Chris Meyer
    (NP)

Biographical Information

If elected, what will your top three priorities be and why? (750 characters)

How would you balance safe and secure elections with voting access? (500 characters)

What do you see as the biggest challenges to mental health and social services in your county, and how would you address them? (500 characters)

What approach would you take to delivering county services while managing the cost of delivering those services? (500 characters)

What role, if any, do you think the county board plays in immigration enforcement? (500 characters)

How do you plan to interact with constituents to best understand the needs of the county? (500 characters)

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The first (and immediate) priority is to address our budget shortfall. All most all of the work the County does is on behalf of the state or federal government and we are rarely fully reimbursed. In 2027 we are absorbing about $1.3 million in cost shifts. We are trying to maintain core services, but still state and federal cost shifts are likely to require some tax increases.

My other goals are around improving collaboration between Winona County and the City of Winona. The success of our joint Mental Health Collaborative has decreased emergency room visits and police calls related to mental health. I want to see the same success in collaboration on the public safety building and for us to work together end homelessness.

I am committed to follow Minnesota Election law (having taken an oath to the constitution). In Winona the elected County Auditor-Treasurer, the County Attorney, and the MN Secretary of State are charged with administering elections. I have served as an election judge in the past and know the Minnesota system to be safe and secure (paper ballots and off-line ballot readers) while at the same time offering mail-in, early voting, day of voting, and same-day registration for access.
In 2027 about 40% of the County’s cost to deliver mandated Health and Human Services will not be reimbursed by the state or federal government. This puts pressure on all services as we try to keep property taxes in check. We are using some of our opioid lawsuit settlement to hire mental health navigators who can meet community members and help them get services through the County or in the community. This has reduced emergency room and police calls since implemented.
We have reviewed all programs by department and categorized them as mandated or not and identified the levy funded vs the reimbursed cost. We have eliminated non-mandated services where feasible, and work to enhance reimbursement for mandated-services. We actively seek grant funding for projects. We review contracts annually to see if the product or services is being used. We consider leasing vs buying for fleets as well as sharing equipment with neighboring counties.
I will follow Minnesota law and have discussed with our County Sheriff who also has agreed to follow State Law. Winona County does not have, nor would I vote to approve a 287(g) agreement to deputize local law enforcement to work on behalf of ICE. I have discussed our detainer policy with the Sheriff and relayed that information to concerned citizens.
I attend many forums, discussions, and meetings sponsored by local groups such as the League of Women Voters, our Women’s Resource Center, the area Chamber, our visitor’s bureau, Habitat for Humanity, and the like. My goal is to make connections and hear concerns. We also have public comment at all board meetings. I also take calls and emails and offer to meet with constituents for in-person conversations.
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The League of Women Voters of Minnesota and North Dakota crafted the questions sent to the candidates in the Spring of 2024. They reached out to candidates based on contact information in their public candidate filings. Candidates with email addresses were invited and reminded with emails. Candidates with only mailing addresses were sent a letter. Candidates with phone numbers received a phone call as well.

Candidate responses are published as they responded and have not been edited, except when responses were longer than the given character limit. In those cases, the responses are truncated.

VOTE411 is brought to you by the League of Women Voters Education Fund and League of Women Voters of Minnesota Education Fund. The League of Women Voters does not support or oppose any political party or candidate for office.