Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners met in Executive Session on October 6, 2026, chaired by Steve Yoder, with all seven commissioners present. The meeting was dominated by fallout from the sudden resignation of Finance Director Rio Risbridger, with the Board approving an interim finance director agreement with Fabian Knizacky, negotiating an employment agreement with Interim Administrator Lauren Cypher, and voting not to pursue an investigation related to a Corporation Counsel legal opinion. The Board also acted on numerous Sheriff's Office, Planning, Senior Services, and 2% allocation items.
Public Comments
Under 1-Minute Topics of General County Concern: Tim Lodge, Jeanne Houle, Jay Saksewski, and Steve Mikowski spoke. Under 3-Minute Agenda Specific comments: Jim White and Steve Tostige spoke. Later in the meeting, Jim White, Steve Tostige, David Kiessel, Rio Risbridger, Steve Mikowski, and Bill Wiesner spoke. Written comments were submitted and posted to the county website link but not detailed in the minutes. Commissioner Campbell noted that former Finance Director Rio Risbridger spoke publicly about circumstances surrounding her departure, which he characterized as courageous. No specific resident proposals requiring board action were noted beyond general concerns about staff treatment and transparency.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The Board approved transferring $50,000.00 from Capital Outlay Account #101.850.756.970.000 to the Capital Projects Fund #470 for future Parks & Recreation capital projects (motion by Walter, seconded by Campbell, 7-0). The Board also approved a 2% allocation application to the Grand Traverse Band for a Parks & Recreation Old Settler's Park ADA-compliant ramp in the amount of $80,000.00 (motion by Bunek, 6-1, Yoder opposed), and for a Veronica Valley County Pavilion/Shelter in the amount of $50,000.00 (motion by Bunek, 7-0).
Infrastructure Projects
No marina, cell tower, water, or sewer infrastructure items were discussed in this session.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
A motion by Wessell to apply for a $20,000.00 2% allocation to Homestretch Housing, related to developing a parcel in the Village of Northport for affordable housing, failed 3-4 (Yes: Wessell, Allgaier, Robbins; No: Bunek, Campbell, Walter, Yoder).
Other Business
The Board approved a winter storage MOU between the Sheriff's Office and Suttons Bay/Bingham Fire and Rescue (7-0); reinstated the K-9 program with a dog purchase not to exceed $19,000.00 and vehicle upfit not to exceed $5,000.00 (7-0); approved a one-year animal control contract extension with the Grand Traverse Band through September 30, 2027 (7-0); approved the L-4402 County Apportionment Report (7-0); approved the Materials Management Plan grant amendment (7-0); appointed Jason Saksewski to the Planning Commission Business Category through 12/31/2028 (7-0); approved Senior Services RFP contracts with Comfort Keepers, Linda Lou Hair and Nails, and Flowers Help Services LLC (7-0); approved clock replacement at the Government Center for $17,032.00 (7-0); approved an updated Staff Accountant job description (7-0); approved submission of the FY27 MOOG grant application (7-0); approved the FY27 MIDC compliance plan and a $379,011.38 grant (state share $326,230.42, county share $52,780.96) (7-0); and after amendment, approved MAC membership dues of $15,000.00 (5-2, Bunek and Walter opposed). The Board approved a resolution recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day on October 12, 2026 (5-2, Bunek and Walter opposed), after a contentious agenda debate in which Bunek's motion to remove the item failed and Wessell's motion to keep it carried (6-1). The Board moved into closed session regarding BATA v. Leelanau County litigation (7-0) and authorized counsel to proceed as discussed (7-0). A closed session on union negotiations was moved to the October 13, 2026 Regular Session. The Board approved an RFP for an executive search firm for a permanent administrator (7-0).
Financial Summary
Claims and Accounts were approved in the amount of $141,343.18 (7-0). Post-Audit Claims and Accounts were moved to the October 13, 2026 Regular Session. Several Treasurer and Finance agenda items (Fund Balance and Revenue Status, 2026 Budget Status Report, Finance Director Salary Adjustment) were removed from the agenda due to Finance Department staffing changes. Commissioner Bunek questioned a $330.00 monthly DirecTV bill, believed to be for inmate services; Cypher agreed to review the invoice with Lt. Todd Roush. Multiple 2% allocation requests to the Grand Traverse Band were approved, including $5,000.00 for Safe Haven, $7,500.00 for Leelanau Clean Water, $10,000.00 for the Leelanau County Cancer Foundation, $17,476.84 for Northwest Regional Medical Control Authority radios, and $83,100.00 for the Leelanau Christian Neighbors Food Pantry.
Action Items
- Chairman Yoder to finalize the executive search firm RFP timeline for approval at the October 13, 2026 Regular Session.
- Chairman Yoder and Corporation Counsel to finalize Interim Administrator Lauren Cypher's employment agreement, including language on her prior position status, for Board approval at the October 13, 2026 Regular Session.
- Interim Finance Director Fabian Knizacky to begin effective October 13, 2026.
- Union negotiations closed session moved to the October 13, 2026 Regular Session.
- Interim Administrator Cypher to review the DirecTV invoice with Lt. Todd Roush.
- 2027 Proposed Budget recommendation moved to November due to Finance Department changes.
- Note: significant Board conflict occurred over Commissioner Robbins' request regarding a Corporation Counsel legal opinion and the handling of former Finance Director Rio Risbridger's departure, with pointed exchanges among Commissioners Campbell, Allgaier, Bunek, and Wessell; the Board voted 6-1 (Robbins opposed) not to pursue any investigation.