Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners met on December 12, 2024, in a Special Session to interview candidates for the position of County Administrator. After considerable procedural disagreement over meeting setup and the role of Commissioners-Elect, the Board interviewed two candidates, Mark Brown and James Dyer. All six Commissioners selected James Dyer as their top pick. The Board voted unanimously to tentatively offer Dyer the position, authorizing Chairman Wessell and Vice-Chairman Rexroat to negotiate an employment agreement subject to Board approval.
Public Comments
No public comment was offered during the initial comment period. Later in the meeting, following the vote on the Administrator selection, Rick Robbins spoke during public comment; the minutes do not detail the content of his remarks.
Other Business
Significant time was spent resolving a dispute over meeting room setup and the seating/participation of incoming Commissioners-Elect (Campbell, Robbins, Yoder, and Walters) during the interview process. Commissioner Lautner requested a five-minute break to rearrange tables so Commissioners-Elect could observe candidates' expressions; Commissioner O'Rourke and Maintenance Worker Duane Flaska noted the presentation table was difficult to move due to wiring. After a tense exchange in which Interim Administrator Lewis twice threatened resignation, Chairman Wessell agreed to accommodate Commissioner Lautner's seating request, and a five-minute break was taken (9:57–9:59 a.m.). The Board agreed Commissioners would ask questions first, followed by the Commissioners-Elect, who would then be dismissed before Board deliberation. Interim Administrator Lewis reported that cards from Commissioners-Elect were split two to two on their preferred candidate, and that some staff comments had been submitted via a suggestion box. The four Commissioners-Elect spoke to the Board about their candidate choices before the vote. Commissioners Allgaier, Rexroat, O'Rourke, and Wessell offered closing remarks, including holiday wishes and thanks to Interim Administrator Lewis for facilitating the process.
Action Items
- Chairman Wessell and Vice-Chairman Rexroat are authorized to negotiate an employment agreement with James Dyer for the County Administrator position, subject to approval by the full Board of Commissioners (Motion #340-12122024, by Rexroat, seconded by O'Rourke; Roll Call: Rexroat-Yes, Ross-Yes, Wessell-Yes, Allgaier-Yes, Lautner-Yes, O'Rourke-Yes; 6-0 motion carried).
- Note of ongoing friction between Commissioner Lautner and other Board members/Interim Administrator Lewis regarding meeting procedures and the treatment of Commissioners-Elect, which escalated to threats of resignation by Lewis before being resolved.