Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners, chaired by Steve Yoder, met November 18, 2025 with all seven commissioners present. The Board approved prior meeting minutes, a lengthy consent agenda, and adopted the FY2026 General Appropriations Act Resolution #25-018, setting a levy of 4.258 mills. A public budget hearing was held mid-meeting, and the Board also approved a waiver allowing joint legal representation for a proposed regional Medical Examiner's office with Grand Traverse County.
Public Comments
During the agenda-specific comment period, David Kiessel, Larry Mawby (speaking on behalf of Peninsula Housing), Frank Clements, Lois Bahle, and Dana Getsinger spoke; written comments were also submitted and made available online, though specific concerns were not detailed in the minutes. During the Public Budget Hearing, Steve Mikowski and Bill Wiesner commented. Later in the meeting, Jim White, Steve Mikowski, Micky Leader, and Bill Wiesner spoke again. Commissioner Wessell offered to meet with Jim White and County Treasurer John Gallagher III regarding White's questions.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
Housing North Executive Director Yarrow Brown presented a PowerPoint update and answered commissioner questions; the Board thanked Brown. Larry Mawby spoke during public comment on behalf of Peninsula Housing, though no board action was taken on this item.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The Board voted 6-1 (Bunek opposed) to appoint Kathy Dawkins to the Leelanau County Parks & Recreation Commission for a partial term ending December 31, 2025, followed by a full three-year term through December 31, 2028.
Other Business
The consent agenda included IT upgrades (WiFi speed increase and AT&T copper-line replacement funded via Telephone Fund #656.000.000.801.000), tire and mattress recycling agreement renewals, MMRMA 2026 insurance renewal, MAC dues, a bulletin board installation outside MSU Extension, and acceptance of a donated Bingham Bridge canvas print. The Board adopted Artificial Intelligence Policy #3.07 (6-1, Campbell opposed) and approved the Cooling Tower RFP with Spicer Group for courthouse chiller replacement (7-0). The Board also approved a request (7-0) for staff to compare elected official/deputy salaries with five or more comparable counties, with Commissioner Robbins requesting Grand Traverse County be added; Administrator Dyer agreed. An Audit RFP vendor interview Special Session was scheduled for Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.
Financial Summary
Key approvals included: MIDC Grant #E20260075-00 totaling $421,123.76 ($368,032.63 state, $53,091.00 county match); Jarboe & Pfeil contract for $60,000; MGT cost allocation contract not to exceed $7,500 (2025), $7,750 (2026), $8,000 (2027); Harris Chart of Accounts conversion for $1,600 from Contingency; Cooling Tower engineering services not to exceed $36,800, funded via transfer from Fund #516 to Fund #470; Budget Amendment #25-014 approved; Claims and Accounts of $460,031.67 approved; Post Audit Claims and Accounts of $16,677,467.97 approved. Commissioner Robbins was reimbursed $1,136.86 for April-June 2025 mileage/per diem (6-0-1, Robbins abstaining).
Action Items
Staff to prepare a comparative salary report for elected officials/deputies (including Grand Traverse County) for the December 9, 2025 or January 13, 2026 Executive meeting, with Board action expected the following week; any approved raises would take effect January 1, 2026. Commissioners Wessell and Campbell to submit audit RFP interview questions to Administrator Dyer ahead of the November 20, 2025 Special Session. Commissioner Wessell to meet with Jim White and Treasurer Gallagher regarding outstanding questions.