Regular meeting (Conflict of Interest – J. Shoaf, 5/21/2024)

**Executive Summary**

**Introduction**
This document serves as a formal notice regarding a potential conflict of interest involving Joe DeFors, the chair of the Leelanau County Energy Futures Task Force. The underlying issue stems from allegations that DeFors lobbied for the approval and funding of a state grant that directly benefits him financially, which raises concerns about adherence to the county’s conflict of interest policy.

**Conflict of Interest Details**
According to Leelanau County’s conflict of interest policy, a public servant advocating for a program that offers them personal financial gain is a clear conflict. Joe DeFors is cited as directly supporting a grant that specifies an hourly wage of $45 for his services. This direct financial benefit leading to an ethical dilemma necessitates immediate attention as it contravenes established policies designed to prevent such conflicts within public service roles.

**Call to Action**
The document asserts that county commissioners Kama Ross and Gwenne Allgaier, who are mentioned as being aware of these ethical violations, should be recused from any investigatory processes concerning this matter. It calls for a thorough investigation of the claims made against Mr. DeFors and suggests that, should the facts be corroborated, appropriate actions should be taken to remove him from the Task Force for prioritizing personal gain over his public role.