Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners met October 14, 2025, chaired by Steve Yoder, with all seven commissioners present. The Board approved a large consent agenda, ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with the FOPLC Leelanau Dispatch unit, approved a $424,272 three-year IT support contract with Karhu Cyber, and voted to release a public statement clearing County Administrator Dyer of a policy-violation allegation following an investigation. Two items drew dissent from Commissioner Campbell: the inmate housing agreement waiver of conflict and the appointment of Kasey Yoder and Brigid Hart to the Board of County Canvassers.
Public Comments
Lawrence Bunchek spoke during the agenda-specific comment period; written comments were also submitted and are posted online, though minutes do not detail their content. Later in the meeting, Steve Mikowski, Jim White, Kathy Dawkins, Kate Gallup, and Bill Weisner offered public comment. Commissioner Robbins referenced a past incident involving Mr. White and audience members in "red shirts," describing a personal apology exchanged afterward. Commissioner Allgaier urged the public to move past "personal vendettas" and focus comments on constructive improvements for the county.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The Board waived its three-bid policy requirement and approved agreements with Loon Roofing & Construction LLC and Novak Painting & Wallcovering, Inc. for refurbishment of the Old Settler’s Park Gazebo, not to exceed $14,000, funded from account #101.850.756.775.000. The Board also approved refurbishment of the Myles Kimmerly Disc Golf Course, as recommended by the Parks and Recreation Commission, entering an agreement with Aloft Disc Golf for equipment procurement not to exceed $22,000, funded from Parks and Recreation Commission Capital Outlay.
Infrastructure Projects
The Board created a Drain Revolving Fund (#802) for non-petition/routine drain maintenance, transferring $30,000 from General Fund Contingency as seed funding. A one-year 2026 contract renewal with GEI Consultants of Michigan, in the amount of $15,000, was approved pending legal review.
Other Business
The Board approved a one-year 2026 Sheriff’s Office service contract with the Village of Suttons Bay, the L-4402 County Apportionment Report, a Marijuana Operations & Oversight Grant application with Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department, conversion of a part-time IT Technician to full-time, 15 Microsoft 365 license upgrades funded via the Data Processing Fund, and an RFP for a courthouse lighting management system upgrade. The 86th District Court presented its annual update, addressing budget, staffing, and hypothetical impacts of Antrim County separating from the shared court system.
Financial Summary
The Board approved FY2025 Amendments #25-012 and #25-013 and Fund Transfer #25-006. Claims and accounts were approved in the amount of $231,641.27, and post-audit claims and accounts were approved at $6,819,808.34. Finance Director Cathy Hartesvelt noted four outstanding cabinets awaiting release; Administrator Dyer said final payment to Point Broadband would be withheld pending a satisfactory written narrative of completed work.
Action Items
Chairman Yoder is to sign the FOPLC Dispatch collective bargaining agreement upon legal approval. The Board authorized Yoder to release the previously discussed statement regarding the personnel investigation. Kasey Yoder and Brigid Hart were appointed to the Board of Canvassers (4-year terms, Nov. 1, 2025–Oct. 31, 2029); Campbell dissented, citing concerns about the Chairman’s wife serving on the board amid potential election disputes. Administrator Dyer is to finalize contract terms with Karhu Cyber and obtain the Point Broadband narrative before final payment.