Summary
This document is a piece of correspondence submitted to the Leelanau Township Board ahead of its April 8, 2025 meeting. Resident Kristi Fischer proposed that the Board and Planning Commission consider adopting AI-based note-taking software, such as Otter AI, to replace the current practice of paying a high school student to take meeting minutes. No board decisions or votes are recorded in this document.
Public Comments
Kristi Fischer submitted a written letter thanking the Board for its service and proposing that the Township move to AI note-taking software, citing the Village's and the Community Foundation's use of Otter AI as a model that "takes about 2 meetings to really dial it in" before working well. She suggested this would improve efficiency and help ensure meeting minutes are posted within the legally required 8-day timeframe, which she stated she was unsure was currently being met. As an alternative, she suggested that one of the township's four office employees could take and upload notes as part of their existing job duties, without incurring overtime. Fischer framed the suggestion as a matter of fiduciary responsibility to taxpayers, expressing trust that Barb and the Board would run the office efficiently. No response from the Board is included in this document.
Financial Summary
Fischer's letter states that the Township currently pays $200 per meeting to a high school student for note-taking, which she calculates as $1,400 per month and $16,800 per year. She argues that even with a premium AI note-taking subscription and monthly fee, the Township would still save approximately $16,000 annually. These figures are presented as part of a resident's cost-saving proposal, not as adopted board figures or an approved budget change.
Action Items
No formal action items, deadlines, or assignments are recorded in this document. Fischer's proposal to explore AI note-taking software, or alternatively reassign minute-taking duties to existing office staff, is a suggestion for the Board's consideration and has not been noted as adopted or acted upon.