Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners met in Regular Session on December 17, 2024, with Chairman Ty Wessell presiding and all six seated commissioners (O'Rourke, Rexroat, Wessell, Ross, Allgaier, Lautner) present; District #1 remains vacant. The Board approved a lengthy consent agenda covering insurance, contracts, and board appointments, adopted the Five-Year Parks and Recreation Plan, approved a new County Administrator employment agreement, and handled year-end financial transfers and claims. This was the final meeting for several outgoing commissioners, who offered closing remarks.
Public Comments
During the agenda-specific public comment period, Alan Campbell spoke in person; no further detail on his remarks is recorded. During the general public comment period later in the meeting, Chet Janik, Heather Duran, Steve Mikowski, and Steve Yoder spoke in person. Commissioner Lautner publicly thanked Janik for his comments. No written comments or letters were noted as submitted.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The Board unanimously approved the final draft of the 2025–2029 Leelanau County Five-Year Community Parks and Recreation Plan (Motion by Rexroat, seconded by Ross; AYES 6, NO 0). Under consent agenda appointments, Charles Godbout and Keith Beduhn were reappointed to the Parks & Recreation Commission for three-year terms expiring December 31, 2027; Mel Black was appointed as the Road Commission representative; Rebecca Benedict was appointed for a partial term expiring December 31, 2027; and Jim Carpenter was appointed for a partial term expiring December 31, 2026.
Infrastructure Projects
DCS Technology CEO Chris Scharrer and Point Broadband Chief Construction Officer Nick Diponzio presented a construction progress update on broadband internet expansion in the County via Zoom. The Board approved an amendment to the Progressive AE agreement for the Leelanau Township Tower project, raising the not-to-exceed amount from $5,300.00 to $7,800.00, funded from account #101.100.101.967.000. The Board also approved relinquishing jurisdiction of the Brewery Creek Drain to Elmwood Charter Township (Resolution #2024-022), and approved renewal of the GEI Consultants of Michigan drain contract pending legal review.
Other Business
C&M Insurance Agent Lew Wolters discussed changing the County's prescription tier structure to a five-tier Blue Cross Blue Shield self-insurance plan, stating he would return in January 2025 to request contract signature for the 2025 benefit year. The Board made numerous board/commission appointments (Health Department, Brownfield Authority, Construction Board of Appeals, Planning Commission, Solid Waste Council, Veterans Affairs Committee, Leland Dam Authority). New Benzie-Leelanau Health Officer Daniel Thorell was introduced. Outgoing commissioners Rexroat, Ross, O'Rourke, Allgaier, and Chairman Wessell offered farewell remarks.
Financial Summary
Approved: MMRMA coverage proposal, $258,480.00 (1/21/25–1/1/26), from account #101.830.871.954.000; MSU Extension agreement, $141,730.00, from account #101.615.257.801.000; Netlink printer/copier maintenance, not to exceed $19,529.40; 2025 non-union wage schedule reflecting a 3% increase; Grand Traverse County Veterans Affairs agreement, $56,618.00 annually (2025–2030), rescinding a November 19, 2024 motion; Claims and Accounts of $415,802.57; Post Audit Claims and Accounts of $4,099,340.40; Budget Amendments #2024-016, #2024-017, #2024-018; and Fund Transfer #2024-007. The Board upheld Resolution #08-026, directing the Finance Director to record a payable to the County for net proceeds and interest from the Brownfield Authority, repaid in equal installments over three years beginning 2025.
Action Items
- Lew Wolters to return in January 2025 to request signing of the BCBS contract for the 2025 benefit year.
- Finance Director to record the Brownfield Authority payable and process repayment in equal installments over three years beginning 2025.
- Grand Traverse County Veterans Affairs agreement contingent on approval by that county's committee.
- County to partner with Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department to apply for the Marijuana Operation and Oversight Grant (AYES 5, NO 1 – O'Rourke).
- Special Session scheduled for December 30, 2024.
- County Administrator Employment Agreement approved (AYES 6, NO 0); Chairman authorized to sign pending legal counsel approval as to form.