Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners met August 19, 2025, with all seven commissioners present. The Board accepted the 2026-2031 Capital Improvement Program as amended, approved several vehicle and equipment purchases, ratified successor collective bargaining agreements with FOPLC Road Sergeants, Corrections Sergeants and Corrections Division, and ratified an initial agreement with the FOPLC Executive Command Unit following a closed session on union negotiations. A motion to rename the Facilities Maintenance Department to "Facilities Engineering" failed 2-5.
Public Comments
During agenda-specific public comment, Jim Kobberstad spoke in person; written comments were also submitted and are available on the county website. Later in the meeting, public comment was moved up at Commissioner Bunek's request ahead of closed session (motion by Campbell, seconded by Bunek, carried 7-0); speakers at that time were Steve Mikowski, Steve Tostige, Keith Ashley, and Dana Getsinger. Written comments from this period are also posted online; specific content of the comments was not detailed in the minutes.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The Board approved, per Parks & Rec Commission recommendation, demolition of pit toilets at Myles Kimmerly and Old Settler's Park, waiving bid policy to contract with Kal-Excavating for $7,500.00, and using Novak Masonry to pour concrete slabs not to exceed $2,970.00, charged to account #101.850.756.775.000.
Infrastructure Projects
Commissioner Bunek raised concerns about the Leland dam gate swinging open with no ADA-compliant ramp on the Falling Waters Lodge side, and questioned why it remains unlocked. Administrator Dyer said the Lodge is responsible for its own ramp, the county is awaiting a legal opinion on the gate, and he would report back next meeting. Commissioner Campbell suggested the gate be locked until the legal opinion arrives. The Board awarded the Leland Dam triennial inspection to Spicer Group, not to exceed $13,000.00, funded via General Fund transfer to account #805.000.000.801.000. The Board also authorized an RFP for engineering/project management services to replace the Government Center cooling tower and Law Enforcement Center humidification system, and ratified emergency replacement of the Central Tower air conditioning unit (Marvair 2-ton unit, quoted $12,350.00, not to exceed $13,000.00 from Tower Fund #518).
Other Business
The Board approved a one-year NMCAA contract extension for housing rehab services, updated several job descriptions, authorized contract building inspectors, extended the Spinniken lawn care agreement, authorized an IT network/support services RFP, approved TimeClock Plus v7/ESS purchase (not to exceed $20,000.00), approved MERS service credit purchase for Scott Robinson (~$98,560.00, employee-paid, Resolution #2025-012), and referred MSU Extension bulletin board and MIOSHA inspection issues to the Building & Grounds Committee (6-1, Bunek opposed).
Financial Summary
- Motor pool upfitting for Sheriff's Office vehicles: not to exceed $34,200.00 (Fund #661).
- Lunghamer Ford purchase (2 Interceptor SUVs, 1 Explorer, 1 F-150): not to exceed $180,929.00 (Fund #661), rescinding prior motion #068-02182025.
- Anonymous donation of $10,000.00 accepted for Sheriff's Office.
- 2% allocations accepted: $18,000.00 (Probate/Family Court bike trailer program), $5,000.00 (Safe Haven), $15,000.00 (Inland Seas Education Association).
- Marine motor purchase: not to exceed $26,000.00 from General Fund Contingency to Sheriff's Marine budget, approved 5-2 (Bunek, Walter opposed).
- Claims and Accounts approved: $581,215.20.
- Post Audit Claims and Accounts approved: $2,583,906.93.
- Fiscal Year Amendments #25-009, #25-010, #25-011 and Fund Transfer #25-005 approved.
Action Items
- Administrator Dyer to report back on the Leland dam gate/ADA ramp issue pending legal opinion from county attorney.
- CIP Treasurer narrative concerns to be discussed separately at September session if changes needed.
- Building & Grounds Committee to review MSU Extension bulletin board request and MIOSHA inspection report.
- NMCAA contract extension pending corporate counsel review.