6/14/2024 - Leelanau County | Special Session Minutes

Summary

The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners held a special session to discuss the appointment process for a new County Administrator/CFO. The meeting highlighted the evaluation of two finalists, Belsky and Belcher, as well as the performance of the current Interim Administrator, Richard Lewis. The Board ultimately decided to negotiate a contract for Lewis to extend his tenure, pending further development of the Finance Department. The decision regarding the hiring of a new Administrator/CFO will be revisited in the fall.

Public Comments

Jill Wellman provided public comment but details of her specific concerns were not documented in the minutes. There was no indication of letters or other communications from the public.

Action Items

1. Chairman Ty Wessell will negotiate a contract with Interim Administrator Richard Lewis to extend his current role. 2. The Board will plan to revisit the hiring process for the Administrator/CFO position in approximately 90 days or by late August. 3. Communication will be sent to candidates Belsky and Belcher to inform them of the Board's decision to pause the hiring process while considering further input regarding desired qualifications and candidate fit.

Other Business

The meeting concluded with discussions about the importance of solidifying the Finance Department before making new administrative hires. There was a consensus to avoid rushing the candidate decision and to allow Interim Administrator Lewis to remain in place for stability during this transitional period.