Executive Board (Public Comment – S. Mikowski, 8/13/2024)
Event Date: 2024-08-13
Summarized with ai model: gemini-2.0-flash-lite
Disclaimer: AI-generated summaries may contain errors. Please review the source document for accuracy.
This executive summary outlines public comments delivered at the Leelanau County Commission Executive Committee meeting on August 13, 2024. The comments, presented by Stephen P. Mikowski, focused on several key agenda items and historical actions of the Board of Commissioners (BOC). The author emphasizes that these comments were based on notes prepared before and during the meeting. The meeting video is available at https://www.leelanau.gov/meetingdetails.asp?MAld=2764#video.
The summary highlights concerns regarding the absence of financial information in the Michigan State University (MSU) report, contrasting this with the need for financial details in the Senior Citizens Report. Another point of concern is the “Maintenance Director/Facilities Director” action item, raising questions about the necessary justification and benefit report, especially given the estimated $120,000 annual cost of the new position. The author suggests this report is essential for informed decision-making by the commissioners.
The commentary also criticizes the BOC’s prioritization of limiting public comment in January 2023, contrasting this with the lengthy time spent on political discussions at a recent meeting. The summary also touches upon the discussion regarding the Director of Human Resources (HR) and the apparent lack of a clear definition of the position’s requirements.
The primary focus of the comments is on the BOC’s May 11, 2021, decision to remove Finance & Human Resources duties from the Clerk’s Office, which the author believes was a detrimental action made without proper planning or justification. This action, referred to as “Clerk-Loathing,” is alleged to have caused considerable harm to the Clerk and her staff, as well as a waste of over $800,000 of taxpayer money. The summary suggests this decision may constitute misconduct in office and advocates for an apology from the Commission to rectify the situation and offer a fresh start for the incoming commission in January 2025.