Special Session (Minutes)

Here is a 3-4 paragraph executive summary of the document:

Executive Summary

The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners held a special session on June 14, 2024 to discuss the position of County Administrator/CFO. The Board heard from the two final candidates, Belsky and Belcher, as well as input from County staff including the County Clerk, Chief Deputy Clerk, and Interim Administrator Richard Lewis.

After discussion, the Board decided not to make a decision on the Administrator/CFO position at this time. Instead, they voted to extend Interim Administrator Lewis’s contract and have him continue developing the County’s Finance Department. The Board will revisit the Administrator/CFO position in 60-90 days, giving them time to finalize the Finance Department structure and determine if they need to hire an Administrator only or if the combined Administrator/CFO role is still required. They will also reach out to the two final candidates, Belsky and Belcher, to let them know they are still under consideration but the process is being temporarily paused.

The Board acknowledged the difficulty in finding the right candidate to fill the combined Administrator/CFO role, with several Commissioners noting it may be difficult to find a “unicorn” who possesses both the financial and managerial skills needed. By taking more time to establish the Finance Department and determine the County’s precise needs, they hope to make a more informed decision on the position when they revisit it later this year.

Video of the meeting