Committee of the Whole (Org. Culture Survey Results):1/3/2024 (Minutes)

The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners Committee of the Whole convened on January 3, 2024, at the Government Center in Suttons Bay, Michigan. The meeting, called to order by Chairman Ty Wessell, included a full attendance of all seven commissioners. The agenda was approved without any additions or deletions, and public comments were received from several individuals. The primary focus of the meeting was the presentation and discussion of the Organizational Culture Survey Results conducted by the Michigan Leadership Institute (MLI). HR Director Darcy Weaver and MLI consultant Dr. John Scholten presented the survey findings, which highlighted a response rate of 85 out of 117 employees and a scale score of 3.8, indicating areas for improvement in the county’s organizational culture.

During the discussion of the MLI survey, Dr. Scholten emphasized the importance of understanding employee perceptions, which may not always reflect reality but are crucial for organizational improvement. The survey results pointed out both positive aspects and challenges within the county’s work environment, with a particular focus on communication and employee concerns about wages and departmental changes. Commissioners expressed gratitude to the employees for their participation and acknowledged the need for better communication and potential governance training to address the issues raised. There was a consensus on the need to work on the recommendations provided by MLI to improve the organizational culture, with some commissioners suggesting further surveys to monitor progress.

Commissioner comments further elaborated on the survey’s implications, with a focus on the recent changes in the Finance Department and the broader issue of trust within the organization. Commissioners Allgaier and Kramer emphasized the importance of planning and trust-building, acknowledging past stumbles but expressing a commitment to improvement. The meeting concluded with a call for continued effort to enhance communication and organizational health, with the hope of improving the county’s culture score in future assessments. The meeting adjourned at 2:41 p.m., with a clear directive to address the survey’s findings and work towards a more cohesive and trusting work environment.

https://www.leelanau.gov/meetingdetails.asp?MAId=2623#video
https://www.leelanau.gov/downloads/mli_survey_results_01032024.pdf