Joe DeFores, chair of the Leelanau County Energy Futures Task Force, is accused of violating the county’s conflict of interest policy. He helped write and lobby for a state grant that benefits him financially, receiving $45 per hour. A letter argues that certain county commissioners should be recused from investigating this ethical violation.
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. Allegations suggest DeFors lobbied for a state grant that financially benefits him, raising concerns about adherence to the county’s conflict of interest policy, necessitating immediate attention.
The Leelanau County conflict of interest policy defines a conflict of interest as when a public servant advocates for a personally beneficial program. Joe DeFors, chair of the Leelanau County Energy Futures Task Force, has been identified as having a conflict of interest by lobbying for a state grant that financially benefits him directly.
On May 21, 2024, during a regular meeting of the Leelanau County Board of Commissioners, public speaker John Hunter commented on ongoing discussions surrounding election integrity. He emphasized that the commissioners are bound by state laws governing elections and lack the authority to alter voting mechanisms, addressing concerns about misinformation affecting public resources.
This document outlines a resolution regarding the Leelanau County Finance Department. The primary focus is on appointing an interim Finance Director and establishing both an intermediate and long-term plan for restructuring the department. The immediate action involves appointing Catherine Hartesvelt as Interim Finance Director, reporting directly to the Board of Commissioners, and being compensated at the Finance Director salary level.
Security Concern at Register of Deeds Office: A public comment was made at a recent Executive Board Meeting regarding a potential security breach on a public computer. Investigation revealed no breach; instead, it was a false alarm triggered by a Microsoft notification. The County has disabled notifications on public computers to prevent future issues.
Bill Wiesner expresses concerns about the security and trustworthiness of electronic voting machines, particularly those made by Dominion, and argues for a return to secure paper ballots. He cites polls showing widespread public concern about election fraud and the impact on election outcomes. John Hunter advises Leelanau County Commissioners on election authority issues.
The Leelanau County conflict of interest policy is clear against public servants advocating for programs that would personally benefit them. Joe DeFores, chair of the Energy Futures Task Force, has been identified as engaging in such a conflict, participating in writing a state grant that would pay him $45 per hour, explicitly mentioned in the documentation.
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners convened for their regular session on May 21, 2024, at the Government Center in Suttons Bay, Michigan. The meeting included public comments, agenda-specific discussions, and the board approved several agreements, budgets, and contracts. The session concluded at 9:36 P.M., with all motions and approvals documented in the minutes.
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners will hold a Regular Session on May 21, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. in the Government Center. The agenda includes approval of minutes, updates from departments, and action items regarding budgets and grant applications. Community projects will also be discussed, emphasizing development and engagement efforts in the area.
