Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners held a Budget Work Session on August 25, 2026, chaired by Steve Yoder. The Board approved the agenda as amended (6-0, Walter absent), removing the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority - Varley Proceeds item for rescheduling. Commissioners engaged in extended debate over hiring practices during the budget process but reached no formal decision, as such deliberation cannot produce binding action outside a regular meeting. Department budget presentations were given for Building Safety and Senior Services, and the Capital Improvement Program was discussed.
Public Comments
Under 1-Minute General Topics of County Concern, Melinda Launter, Sun Young Tostige, and Steve Tostige spoke; no specifics on content were recorded. No one spoke under the 3-Minute Agenda Specific comment period. Later in the meeting, a separate 5-minute public comment period included remarks from Jim White, Steve Tostige, Pat Roach, Melinda Lautner, and Don Spinniken; details of their comments were not specified in the minutes. During Commissioner Comments, an unidentified audience member interjected that "there can be no deliberating of decisions made," to which Chairman Yoder responded that it was not public comment time.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Commissioner Campbell noted that the Capital Improvement Plan includes a proposed scheduling and payment system for County parks, but stated the Parks and Recreation Commission does not have an appetite for it. Facilities Director Patrick Roach responded from the audience, though his specific comments were not detailed.
Infrastructure Projects
During discussion of the Capital Improvement Program (presented by Interim Administrator Lauren Cypher via handout), Chairman Yoder stated that more clarification is needed on a cell tower project that was declined in Leelanau Township. No vote or further action was recorded on this item.
Other Business
The Brownfield Redevelopment presentation was pulled by Chairman Yoder and deferred to a future budget work session. Commissioner Wessell requested that the County's pension plan documents be added to a future budget work session agenda for review. Commissioner Bunek raised the topic of releasing results of a paid attorney survey of 21 people, suggesting it be released at the next board meeting for comparison to a 2023 survey; Commissioner Campbell seconded this sentiment, though no formal vote was taken. Commissioner Robbins clarified a distinction between a "survey" and an "investigation" in this context.
Action Items
- Interim Administrator Lauren Cypher to provide further clarification on the declined cell tower project in Leelanau Township.
- Pension plan documents to be added to a future budget work session agenda, per Commissioner Wessell's request.
- Brownfield Redevelopment Authority - Varley Proceeds item to be rescheduled to a future meeting.
- Consideration of releasing a 21-person survey conducted by attorneys, potentially at the next board meeting, per Commissioner Bunek's suggestion.
- Ongoing Board discussion needed regarding a potential policy on evaluating staff vacancies before filling them, as raised by Commissioners Wessell, Yoder, Campbell, Allgaier, Bunek, and Robbins, with no consensus reached.