Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners met on November 19, 2024, approving a large consent agenda (24 items), holding a public hearing on the FY2025 budget, and engaging in extended debate over stipends for the County Clerk and Chief Deputy Clerk. The Board ultimately voted 4-2 to scale back the stipends per the Interim Administrator's recommendation, with review by the Board in January 2025. The Board also adopted the 2025 Appropriations Act Resolution, approved a Veterans Affairs contract with Grand Traverse County, and passed a resolution supporting House Bill 5430 on historic preservation tax credits.
Public Comments
Steve Mikowski spoke during agenda-specific public comment; Commissioner Allgaier thanked him and agreed with his comments, though his specific concerns were not detailed in the minutes. During the FY2025 Budget Public Hearing, Stephen Mikowski and Keith Ashley spoke; Finance Director Cathy Hartesvelt responded to their questions. Later in the meeting, Steve Mikowski again spoke during general public comment. No written comments were submitted for the general public comment period. Commissioner Lautner later referenced Mr. Ashley's earlier comments regarding the stipend issue, noting his phrase "ripped away" characterized how the Clerk's office duties were affected.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The Board set a public hearing on the Leelanau County Parks and Recreation Plan (February 2025 edition) for December 17, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. in the County Commission Chambers. Additionally, as part of GTB 2% Tribal Grant applications, the Board approved submitting a request for a Disc Golf Course Upgrade for $18,006.00.
Infrastructure Projects
The Board approved the First Amendment to the Tower Space Lease Agreement with Verizon at Maple City Tower sites, and the Third Amendment to the AT&T lease at Maple City, Omena, and Northport tower sites (pending legal review). A three-year maintenance contract with Motorola Solutions for 9-1-1 dispatch radio consoles and recorder equipment was approved. The Board also approved T-Mobile's temporary use of county electrical power at the Central tower site for one month in exchange for $750.00. The Interim Administrator updated the Board on the Tower Special Land Use Permit (SLUP) process, noting an upcoming public hearing and potential pricing update in December.
Other Business
The Board approved numerous Senior Services contract renewals (foot care, medication management, dental, Meals on Wheels, ShareCare services, Senior Companion Program) and authorized Senior Services Director Lena Vander Meulen to attend an out-of-state conference in Orlando, FL. The Board approved the L-4402 Apportionment Report, set December 10, 2024, as the date for a Committee of the Whole session on Boards and Commissions recommendations, and rejected (2-3) a motion to extend the Energy Futures Task Force through December 31, 2024. The Board accepted a $39,900.00 FY25 County Veterans Service Fund grant and adopted Resolution #2024-021 supporting House Bill 5430 for expanded historic preservation tax credits.
Financial Summary
Key approved expenditures included: $10,298.00 for a Livescan fingerprint unit; $12,785.00 for Jennifer L. Zywicki's MERS service credit purchase (employee-paid); $75,000 to Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency for Meals on Wheels; up to $56,000 and $44,000 to ShareCare of Leelanau for transportation and wellness programs; up to $8,000.00 to Catholic Human Services; not-to-exceed $5,700.00 to Rehmann Robson for ACA forms services; $48,501.86 for 129 office chairs; $12,000.00 for MAC annual dues; and $56,618.00 annually (2025–2027) for the Grand Traverse County Veterans Affairs contract. The Board approved FY2024 Amendments #24-013, #24-014, and #24-015, and Fund Transfer #24-006. Claims and accounts of $425,464.77 and post-audit claims and accounts of $15,836,153.87 were approved. The Board adopted the 2025 Appropriations Act Resolution #2024-020 (5-0, Allgaier absent); budget rules discussion was tabled for further review in December due to unclear language on page 16, item #16.
Action Items
- Interim Administrator Lewis to present not-to-exceed pricing on the Tower SLUP consultant costs in December, pending the public hearing outcome.
- Board to review stipend scale-back for County Clerk and Chief Deputy Clerk at the January 2025 meeting, with input from the Finance Director (ongoing point of contention among Commissioners, particularly between Allgaier/Lautner favoring flexibility based on Finance Department needs versus Ross favoring a firm end date).
- 2025 Budget Rules language on page 16, item #16, to be clarified and brought back to the Board in December.
- County Clerk to forward Resolution #2024-021 to all 83 Michigan counties, State Representative Betsy Coffia, State Senator John Damoose, and Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
- Committee of the Whole session on Boards and Commissions recommendations scheduled for December 10, 2024.