WINONA COUNTY, MN - If there's anything clear about plans for a new Winona County jail, it's that discussion over it will continue for some time.

The Winona County Board held two public meetings Tuesday to garner input on building a replacement to the 27-year-old facility adjacent to the county courthouse, though only around 15 people attended the sessions, largely a mix of former, current and potential public officials.

“I think we all agree a new jail needs to be built,” Commissioner Dave Stoltman said. “Somewhere, of some sort, of some size. That leaves a lot of ifs, ands and buts.”

The commissioners and County Administrator Bob Reinert suggested forming a committee comprised of judges, jail employees, public officials and others to discuss each aspect of the correctional system and explore cooperative programs with neighboring counties.

“The structure is a small part of (the debate),” Commissioner Marcia Ward said. “The board is grappling with the system.”

The board and attendees also ran into a debate over semantics, questioning whether a new building should be considered a jail, a correctional facility, or both.

A study released last month that recommends a new jail has spurred the recent discussion. There aren't any concrete estimates for how much the jail will cost, and the county is just beginning to consider ways of funding it. Commissioner Dwayne Voegeli said the county may explore generating revenue through a half-cent sales tax increase, which it has examined in the past.

Commissioner Duane Bell voiced concerns about the jail's potential price tag, because the county is already considering funding a significant expansion at its office building at 202 W. Third St., in order to co-locate its health and human services departments.

“If the human services building and jail are built in the next three years, taxpayers are just going to go bonkers,” he said.

Several people experienced in the local correctional system addressed the board during the sessions.

Dennis Challeen, a retired Winona County judge, told the commissioners they need to consider a progressive correctional system that avoids long sentences and rows of cells and instead advocates education, personal attention, and open confinement.

“I'm not against you building a jail,” he said. “But don't build a monument to yesterday.”