5/20/2025 - Leelanau County | Regular Session Minutes

Summary

The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners held a regular session on May 20, 2025, where key decisions were made surrounding budget allocations, tax rates, and various grant applications. Key outcomes included the approval of several actions, including a reaffirmation of policies regarding the Delinquent Tax Revolving Fund, and financing for community projects. A significant discussion took place around the role of the county in grant funding decisions affecting local nonprofits.

Public Comments

Public comments were made by Casey Petz, Keith Ashley, Taylor Moore, Kathy Dawkins, and Celeste Crouch. However, specific concerns raised by these speakers were not documented in the provided minutes.

Infrastructure Projects

In the context of infrastructure, a motion to approve funding for a water level monitoring project was presented. The project budget of $7,000.08 was unanimously approved after discussion concerning the details of the project.

Action Items

1. **Delinquent Tax Revolving Fund Reaffirmation**: Added as a late agenda item for discussion in June after a request from Commissioner Campbell. 2. **Tax Rate Request**: A motion to lower the tax rate failed with a vote of 1-5. 3. **Remonumentation Grants**: Various remonumentation-related contracts and grants were discussed extensively, with some motions regarding their approval passed without corporate counsel review, raising concerns from Commissioner Bunek about the process. 4. **2% Allocation Applications**: Multiple 2% allocation applications were approved, including those for Home Sweet Home Nonprofit Housing Corporation and Inland Seas Education Association. Commissioner Bunek expressed concern about diverting funds from government agencies to nonprofits. 5. **Policy Draft for 2% Applications**: A new policy draft regarding 2% funding applications was discussed but faced debate over its implications on other community funding.

Other Business

The Administrator provided an update on a range of topics, including early childhood funding, dental coverage, and a solid waste study grant confirmation. Commissioners thanked volunteers for their efforts in community projects, like tree planting at Veronica Valley Park and expressed the importance of planning for the upcoming budget process more collaboratively.

Financial Summary

Key financial decisions included: - Approval of claims and accounts totaling $366,740.91. - Post audit claims and accounts approved for $3,073,948.63. - A grant application for the Community Corrections Plan in the amount of $315,200.00. - Multiple budget amendments and transfers were approved, affirming the financial governance processes in place.

Action Items

- Commissioner Campbell to add a discussion on the Delinquent Tax Revolving Fund reaffirmation to the June agenda. - Explore options for a new software system (BS&A) for financial management before the upcoming budget cycle. - Further discussions on the 2% allocation policy to address concerns on how decisions are made regarding nonprofits versus governmental funding. - Monitoring of the water level monitoring project to ensure it is completed within budget.