Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners, meeting November 4, 2026, conducted a final walk-through of the 2027 Proposed Budget with Interim Administrator Lauren Cypher and Interim Finance Director Fabian Znizacky. The Board approved reducing the general fund contingency from $400,000 to $100,000, reallocated a previously approved $40,000 Brownfield Authority contribution toward the general fund deficit instead, and confirmed the current projected deficit stands at $742,342. The agenda was approved 5-0 with Commissioners Robbins and Campbell initially absent (both arrived later).
Public Comments
No individuals spoke under the 1-minute general topics, 3-minute agenda-specific, or 5-minute public comment periods.
Infrastructure Projects
Znizacky noted an $80,000 transfer to the Leland Dam Maintenance Fund was included in the budget. Commissioner Bunek asked whether this funding was still needed; Cypher explained the Dam Authority will request Board support for a new monitoring system in 2027. Commissioner Campbell, the Board's representative on the Dam Authority, confirmed action will be needed on a new system in 2027.
Other Business
Znizacky reviewed numerous budget memo items, including wage and fringe benefit increases for elected officials, deputies, and Finance Department staff; a roughly $575,000 increase in hospitalization costs per Blue Cross/Blue Shield estimates; a $275,000 transfer from the Delinquent Tax Revolving Fund for MERS contributions; elimination of a $109,076 transfer to the Radio Communication Fund; elimination of a $31,500 Oblique Imagery line item; and decreases to the Soldiers & Sailors Fund ($10,000 to $5,000) and American Legion funding ($3,000 to $2,000). Commissioner Wessell reported Northern Lakes Community Mental Health will drop its additional funding request, though he and Commissioner Allgaier noted payments have been frozen since 2003 despite doubled costs. Commissioner Campbell noted Leelanau may be the only county increasing funding to that regional organization. Commissioner Bunek confirmed with Znizacky that $31,500 remains budgeted for future Marine Patrol boat purchases.
Financial Summary
Key figures discussed: current general fund deficit of $742,342; $575,000 increase in hospitalization costs; $275,000 transfer from Delinquent Tax Revolving Fund for MERS; approximately $99,000 increase in property tax revenue; $40,000 increase from Register of Deeds revenues; approximately $13,000 increase from Clerk's office revenues with a $5,000 decrease in Special Projects; $5,000 increase in Local Community Stabilization Share; $3,000 increase in Penalties/Interest on Taxes. After extended debate and multiple motions (including amendments and a tabling motion, 7-0, to await cash balance data from Chief Deputy Treasurer Sarah Lautner), the Board voted 6-1 (Allgaier opposed) to remove the $40,000 Brownfield Authority allocation and apply it to the general fund deficit instead. The Board also voted 7-0 to reduce contingency from $400,000 to $100,000.
Action Items
- Commissioner Wessell to bring Community Mental Health funding levels back for future Board discussion, citing costs frozen since 2003.
- Leelanau County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority to bring future funding requests directly to the Board as projects arise, following removal of its $40,000 allocation.
- Dam Authority to bring a monitoring system request to the Board in 2027, per Commissioner Campbell and Cypher.