Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners held a special session on December 30, 2025, chaired by Steve Yoder, with all seven commissioners present. The board approved a union negotiations letter of agreement, temporary staffing overlap in the Prosecuting Attorney's Office, two budget amendments, a fund transfer, and claims and accounts totaling $271,059.99. Administrator Dyer previewed upcoming health insurance renewal discussions for January 2026.
Public Comments
During the agenda-specific public comment period, no one spoke. During the later five-minute public comment period, John Gallagher spoke; the minutes do not record the substance of his remarks or any board response.
Other Business
The board approved Motion #392 (6-1, Bunek opposed) authorizing the Board Chair to sign a Letter of Agreement regarding union negotiations. Commissioner Bunek stated the matter was handled poorly and should have been part of Teamsters negotiations, and said he would vote no again.
The board approved Motion #393 (6-1, Campbell opposed) authorizing a temporary staffing overlap for the Chief Assistant Prosecutor position from January 5, 2026, to February 6, 2026, and authorized the Finance Director and Administrator to increase the 2026 Prosecutor's Office budget (Account #101.250.229) by no more than $16,000.00.
Administrator Dyer told Commissioner Campbell he expects the year-end budget to be underspent by about $250,000.00. Dyer said presentations from BHS Insurance (the county's current BCBS agent) and the West Michigan Health Insurance Pool are planned for the January 6, 2026 Organizational meeting, with a final decision on medical insurance renewal to follow at the Executive and final January meetings. Dyer described health insurance costs as the biggest budget risk and stated the objective is not to change employee benefits. He noted input had been gathered from union stewards, non-union employees, and a summer employee survey.
Financial Summary
- Budget Amendments #25-017 and #25-018 approved unanimously (7-0), Motion #394.
- Fund Transfer #25-008 approved unanimously (7-0), Motion #395.
- Claims and Accounts approved unanimously (7-0) in the amount of $271,059.99, Motion #396.
- Prosecutor's Office budget (Account #101.250.229) authorized to increase by no more than $16,000.00 for temporary staffing overlap.
- Administrator Dyer projected the overall county budget would end the year underspent by approximately $250,000.00.
Action Items
- Finance Director and Administrator to implement the up to $16,000.00 budget increase for the Prosecutor's Office to cover the Chief Assistant Prosecutor staffing overlap from January 5 to February 6, 2026.
- Presentations from BHS Insurance and the West Michigan Health Insurance Pool scheduled for the January 6, 2026 Organizational meeting, with a final health insurance renewal decision to be made at subsequent Executive and final January meetings.