Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners met on September 10, 2024, chaired by Ty Wessell, with Commissioner District #1 vacant. The board approved numerous recommendations to move to regular session, including an inmate housing agreement with Grand Traverse County, an early hire for a corrections officer, a child care fund budget amendment, grant acceptances, a tax rate request, contract extensions, and a one-year audit services extension. The board also entered closed session to discuss collective bargaining and approved claims and accounts totaling $244,906.83 and post audit claims of $7,671,535.22.
Public Comments
During the agenda-specific public comment period, Bill Weisner, Sam Getsinger, and Rick Robbins spoke in person; written comments were also submitted and are available via the county's meeting handout link. During the later open public comment period, Bill Wiesner spoke again. No specific concerns or board responses were detailed in the minutes beyond noting the speakers' names.
Infrastructure Projects
None discussed in this document.
Other Business
Commissioners discussed a Chief Deputy Salary Adjustment for the Register of Deeds and Treasurer; Commissioner Lautner moved to remove this item from the agenda and place it on budget discussions, but the motion received no second. Interim Administrator Richard Lewis presented his findings on the topic, comparing the positions to the Assistant Finance Director and Director of 911 for equity purposes. A motion by Rexroat to move the item to regular session with information presented beforehand passed 6-0. The board approved a public hearing for termination of the West Bay/West Shore Brownfield Plan for October 8, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. (6-0). An MSU Extension Services Agreement for Planning Commission training was approved (6-0). The Interim Administrator's contract extension was approved (6-0). Grant Policy No. 8.03 was updated and approved (6-0). The County Administrator job description and salary range ($110,000–$140,000) were approved (6-0), with consultant Chet Janik's search fee noted at $4,000. Commissioners also discussed the Road Commissioner vacancy following the passing of John Popa, with County Clerk Michelle Crocker explaining the appointment process. A letter from Cherry Capital Airport Authority CEO Kevin Klein requesting a joint meeting was noted by Lewis.
Financial Summary
- Child Care Fund 2024 budget amendment: $12,914.00 reallocated for wages/benefits (approved 6-0).
- MIDC Grant FY2025: authorized budget of $383,778.60 ($330,532.38 state share, $53,246.22 local share), approved 6-0.
- Rehmann "cross-walk" Chart of Accounts contract: $30,000.00 from contingency funds, bid policy waived, approved 6-0.
- FY 2024 L-4029 tax rate approved: Road .5000, Senior Services .3200, Early Childhood .2000 (lowered from maximum allowable), approved 6-0.
- Spinniken Lawn Contract extension: $520.00 per mow, optional spring clean-up at $84.00/hour, dethatching rate updated to $1,500.00; bid policy waived, approved 6-0.
- Audit services one-year extension with Rehman: $85,000.00 total ($69,000.00 financial/single audit for County, $15,000.00 for Road Commission audit), approved 5-1 (Rexroat opposed).
- Claims and accounts approved: $244,906.83 (5-0, Ross absent).
- Post audit claims and accounts approved: $7,671,535.22 (5-0, Ross absent).
Action Items
- Interim Administrator Lewis to proceed with hiring HR Manager Jennifer Kain, starting September 30.
- Information regarding the Chief Deputy Salary Adjustment (Register of Deeds, Treasurer) to be presented prior to the regular session meeting.
- Clerk Michelle Crocker and Interim Administrator Lewis to continue the process for filling the Road Commissioner vacancy left by the passing of John Popa.
- Clerk and Administrator to work with consultant Chet Janik on a contract extension for the County Administrator search; interview schedule to be addressed after budget season.
- Follow-up planned on Cherry Capital Airport Authority CEO Kevin Klein's request for a joint meeting.