Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners met March 19, 2026, chaired by Steve Yoder, with all seven commissioners present. The Board approved a full consent agenda, several 2% Tribal allocation applications, a Parks and Recreation Trust Fund grant resolution, and two contentious personnel/finance resolutions (HR Resolution #2026-005 and Finance Resolution #2026-006) transferring HR, accounting, and payroll authority to the County Administrator, following years of dispute with the Clerk's Office. Commissioners Bunek and Campbell dissented on several finance-related votes, citing lack of review time and concerns about concentrating authority. The Board also adopted resolutions supporting a lower speed limit and sidewalk safety funding in Peshawbestown, and accepted the resignation of Drain Commissioner Timothy O'Non effective March 27, 2026.
Public Comments
Public comment was heard twice. Under General County Concern: Steve Tostige, Jeanne Houle, Tim McCalley, Susan Quinlan, Lawrence Bunchek, Jim White, and David Kiessel spoke. Under Agenda-Specific comment: Gery Zemaitis, Karen Zemaitis, Steve Tostige, and Steve Mikowski spoke. Later in the meeting, additional public comment came from Peggy Zemanek, Steve Mikowski, Jim White, Steve Tostige, and Bill Wiesner. Written comments were submitted and posted online but not summarized in the minutes. Commissioner Campbell also submitted written comments opposing the Finance Resolution, posted to the county website.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The Board approved (7-0) Resolution #2026-004 authorizing submission of a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant for an accessible playground at Myles Kimmerly County Park, requesting $100,000 with a required 50% local match ($100,000), for a total project cost of $200,000. The Board also approved (7-0) waiving bid policy to purchase nine benches from Bay Supply, not to exceed $12,150, for installation at Veronica Valley County Park, with a $1,500 donation established per bench. Separately, 2% Tribal allocation applications were approved for a pavilion at Veronica Valley Park ($50,000) and ADA ramp, stairs, and dock replacement at Old Settler's Park ($80,000, 7-0).
Other Business
The Board approved registering Corporal Scott Robinson for Cellebrite training (not to exceed $4,845), signed the EMPG grant work agreement, and approved a Senior Service Millage renewal (0.3200 mills, 2026-2029) for the August 4, 2026 ballot, estimated to raise $1,346,672 in its first year. The Senior Produce Program agreements were approved. 2% Tribal allocation applications were approved for Inland Seas Education Association ($15,000, 5-2, Bunek and Walter opposed) and 5Loaves2FishNMI ($14,000, 5-2, Bunek and Walter opposed). ClayHR software was approved to replace Timeclock Plus. A lease of a new Ford Police Interceptor via Enterprise Fleet Management, funded by insurance buyout proceeds from a totaled 2019 Interceptor, passed 6-1 (Bunek opposed). A letter supporting Grand Traverse Band's federal sidewalk funding request for Peshawbestown passed 5-2 (Bunek, Walter opposed); a related resolution urging MDOT to lower speed limits in Peshawbestown from 55 to 45 mph passed 7-0. The Board accepted Drain Commissioner Timothy O'Non's resignation effective March 27, 2026 (7-0). Clerk's Office items were moved from Consent to Action: staffing overlap (moving an election position from 32 to 40 hours/week with benefits) was tabled to April Executive Committee (6-1, Bunek opposed); release of attorney/client privilege on a February 16, 2026 legal opinion was approved (7-0); and the Early Voting agreement with ten townships was approved (7-0).
Financial Summary
Budget Amendments #26-001 and #26-002 were approved (7-0). Claims and accounts totaling $454,591.17 were approved (7-0). Post-audit claims and accounts totaling $2,606,879.85 were approved (7-0). Administrator Dyer noted generator repair costs of $3,000-$6,000 already authorized. A 2% allocation application for A/V equipment replacement ($48,440.22) was approved via consent.
Action Items
Clerk's Office staffing overlap is to return to the April Executive Committee meeting with additional documentation. The Finance Team (Administrator, Treasurer, Finance Director) is directed to develop standard operating procedures, a five-year budget format, a standardized financial calendar, and a new budget process for future Board review. Ongoing tension between the Clerk's Office and the Administrator over HR/Finance authority continued to surface, with Commissioner Wessell publicly apologizing to Clerk Michelle Crocker for how the 2021 reorganization was handled, while Commissioners Bunek and Campbell maintained objections to the new resolutions concentrating authority with the Administrator and Treasurer.