Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners met on December 10, 2024, chaired by Ty Wessell, to discuss whether Commissioners-Elect should participate in County Administrator candidate interviews scheduled for December 12, 2024. After extended discussion with Interim Administrator Richard Lewis and Michigan Leadership Institute (MLI) Consultant Chet Janik, the Board reached consensus (no formal vote taken) on a process allowing Commissioners-Elect to ask questions and provide input, while reserving the official decision for the current Board. Chairman Wessell and Commissioner Doug Rexroat were agreed by consensus to lead contract negotiations with Janik's assistance.
Public Comments
No public comments were made during the initial Public Comment period. Later in the meeting, Commissioner-Elect Rick Robbins and Commissioner-Elect Alan Campbell spoke during a second Public Comment period; the minutes do not detail the content of their remarks. Earlier in the meeting, Commissioners-Elect Mark Walters, Alan Campbell, Steve Yoder, and Rick Robbins addressed the Board regarding the interview process, though specific statements were not recorded individually.
Other Business
The Board discussed logistics for the December 12, 2024 interview sessions, including seating arrangements so Commissioners-Elect could view candidates' facial expressions and body language. Interim Administrator Lewis agreed to arrange additional seating (potentially extended tables or chairs to the sides of the Commissioner area) to accommodate the five Commissioners-Elect. The Board agreed that Commissioners would ask questions first, followed by Commissioners-Elect, with a one-hour time allotment per candidate that could be extended if needed. A straw poll process was agreed upon: Commissioners-Elect would submit their first and second choice preferences in writing to Interim Administrator Lewis, who would report the results to the Board prior to final deliberation. MLI Consultant Janik confirmed that due to legal requirements, only a one-year contract with a 90-day opt-out clause could be offered to the selected candidate, with a three-year contract possible in 2025. Janik will participate in the December 12 interviews via Zoom.
Action Items
- Interim Administrator Lewis to finalize interview room seating arrangements for Commissioners-Elect before December 12, 2024.
- Commissioners-Elect to submit ranked candidate preferences (first and second choice) to Interim Administrator Lewis following interviews.
- Chairman Wessell and Commissioner Rexroat to begin contract negotiations with the selected candidate, potentially starting Thursday afternoon (December 12), with Janik's assistance.
- Agreement with the selected candidate must be finalized by December 31, 2024, or the next Board of Commissioners will select the County Administrator.
- Interim Administrator Lewis to prepare a proposed motion for the Board regarding the administrator selection.