Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners held a Budget Work Session on September 30, 2025, chaired by Steve Yoder, with all seven commissioners present. The session consisted of departmental budget presentations for 2026 from the Register of Deeds, MSU Extension, Probate & Family Court, the Prosecutor's Office, and Planning & Community Development. Significant Board debate arose over proposed wage increases in the Family Court/Probate Register's office and a broader discussion about whether Elected Officials' salaries countywide should be reviewed. No formal budget votes were taken during this work session.
Public Comments
No public comments were made during either scheduled public comment period.
Other Business
Register of Deeds Jennifer Grant and Chief Deputy Rachel Richardson presented their budget, noting transfer tax revenue will be adjusted upward to $400,000.00 from $350,000.00. Administrator Dyer suggested Grant's proposed project could be completed faster and asked her to seek a new quote. MSU Extension Director Jennifer Berkey presented her budget; Commissioner Wessell thanked her for the Master Gardener's Program. Prosecutor Joseph Hubbell reported no new budget requests, stable grant revenue, and praised the newly approved FOIA Coordinator position. Planning Director Gail Myer reported a status-quo budget with no new requests.
Financial Summary
Judge Steven Paciorka proposed converting the Probate Register/Recorder and Juvenile Register positions from 35 to 40 hours per week starting January 1, 2026. He proposed wage increases for four Juvenile Case Workers (from $70,434.00 to $77,000.00), the Family Court Administrator (from $83,386.00 to $91,000.00), and the Probate Register (from $77,818.00 to $91,000.00), totaling $47,060.00 in increases, partially offset by up to $28,796.00 in State of Michigan Child Care Fund reimbursement. He identified offsetting reductions: Office and Operating Supplies (#101.325.132.727.000) reduced to $3,000.00 from $8,500.00, and Contractual Services (#101.325.132.801.000) reduced to zero from $19,000.00. Commissioners Wessell and Bunek expressed concern about affordability of roughly 9-10% increases and equity across County staff; Commissioner Campbell noted he was unaware wage increases were embedded in the previously approved Child Care Fund budget.
Action Items
Commissioner Campbell requested a closed-session agenda item at the October 7, 2025 Executive Session meeting regarding Attorney/Client Privilege correspondence and a Complaint Policy; Commissioner Bunek supported placing the policy on the agenda. Commissioner Robbins requested the Administrator and Finance Department compile wage comparisons for Elected Officials' salaries, to be discussed at the October 7, 2025 Executive Session; Commissioner Allgaier supported this, while Commissioner Campbell preferred delaying such review until December or January.