Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners met in special session on August 28, 2024, chaired by Ty Wessell, with Commissioner Doug Rexroat absent. The Board approved a process for hiring a new County Administrator using the Michigan Leadership Institute, with Interim County Administrator Richard I. Lewis assisting and remaining on board to overlap with the new hire. The Board also approved a new Facilities Director position and job description, and agreed to convert the Maintenance Director position to Maintenance Supervisor upon the current director's retirement.
Public Comments
During the first public comment period, five individuals spoke: Rick Robbins, Alan Campbell, Scott Perry, Tim McCalley, and Steve Yoder. Specific concerns were not detailed in the minutes, but Commissioners O'Rourke, Allgaier, and Ross responded with general appreciation for the speakers' engagement and willingness to participate. Commissioner Ross noted it was "brave" for everyone to be in the room together.
During a second public comment period, Rick Robbins spoke again, cautioning the Board regarding the administrator search timeline. Chairman Wessell responded that the Board would not rush the process poorly and would not pursue the stated goal if it could not be met properly.
Infrastructure Projects
Chairman Wessell announced that the Sheriff had contacted him about arranging a tour of a new boat. Clerk Crocker noted that if Commissioners attend, the tour would need to be publicly posted. No further action was taken on this item.
Other Business
The Board discussed the Administrator/CFO search process, with each Commissioner offering input. Consensus was reached to schedule interviews in November and December. Interim Administrator Lewis presented the Facilities Director job description and wage scale and answered Commissioner questions.
During Commissioner comments, Lautner raised concerns about the Board's past treatment of a former young Commissioner, stating she struggled with her schedule and received no sympathy, including an incident where Commissioner Ross's conduct toward her caused her to cry. Ross responded that it was a matter of "learning by mistakes" and acknowledged the difficulty of balancing Board pressures. O'Rourke commented that the Leelanau Enterprise does not adequately publish the requirements of being a commissioner, contributing to unprepared candidates taking office.
Action Items
- Interim Administrator Lewis to assist in proceeding with hiring a County Administrator via the Michigan Leadership Institute, with the job description to be reviewed at the September Executive Session; search goal set for end of December (Motion #241A/#241, carried 5-0, Rexroat absent).
- Facilities Director position, job description, and wage scale approved effective immediately and to be posted (Motion #242, carried 5-0, Rexroat absent).
- Maintenance Director position to be changed to Maintenance Supervisor upon current director's retirement.
- Interested Commissioners to contact the Sheriff regarding the new boat tour; any Commissioner attendance must be publicly posted.