Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners held a two-day Special Session on November 18-19, 2024, at the Government Center in Suttons Bay, focused entirely on interviewing candidates for the County Administrator position. Eight candidates were interviewed over the two days with the assistance of MLI Consultant Chet Janik. Following tallies of Commissioner rankings, the Board voted to advance three candidates - Mark Brown, Kipling Belcher, and James Dyer - to a second round of interviews.
Public Comments
Alan Campbell and Will Bunek offered public comments during the agenda-specific comment period, though no specifics of their remarks were recorded in the minutes. No written public comments or handouts were submitted. During the general public comment period at the close of the meeting, no comments were offered.
Other Business
The bulk of the session consisted of candidate interviews for County Administrator: Matthew Marske, Eric Ceci, Mark Brown, James Kiessel, Kipling Belcher, Jeffrey Thornton, James Dyer, and Brandon Fewins (who participated via Zoom). Candidate Robert J. Reinshuttle withdrew due to lack of Zoom availability and an unwillingness to travel from Florida. MLI Consultant Janik noted the Board could only offer a one-year contract per state law, and recommended a second round of interviews for finalists.
Tally results for a "yes/maybe" second interview were reported as: Matthew Marske 1-4; Eric Ceci 0-2; Mark Brown 3-2; James Kiessel 1-2; Kipling Belcher 3-2; Jeffrey Thornton 0-2; James Dyer 5-0; Brandon Fewins 2-2. Commissioners-Elect present gave additional rankings: Marske 2-1; Brown 2-0; Kiessel 1-1; Belcher 0-1; Thornton 0-1; Dyer 2-1.
Commissioner O'Rourke proposed hiring James Dyer immediately rather than continuing the process. Commissioner Ross stated she wanted Brandon Fewins included in the second round.
Motion #299-1118&192024: Rexroat moved, seconded by Allgaier, to offer second interviews to Mark Brown, Kipling Belcher, and James Dyer. AYES - 4 (Rexroat, Wessell, Allgaier, Lautner); NO - 2 (Ross, O'Rourke). Motion carried. There was consensus to schedule second-round interviews for Thursday, December 12, 2024, beginning at 9:45 a.m., with the first interview at 10:00 a.m., and to include input from Commissioners-Elect.
Action Items
- MLI Consultant Chet Janik to check availability of remaining candidates and coordinate Zoom participation as needed.
- County Clerk Michelle L. Crocker to review meeting notice requirements regarding Zoom participation for candidates.
- A Special Session meeting request for December 12, 2024 to be prepared and signed for second-round interviews of Mark Brown, Kipling Belcher, and James Dyer.
- Commissioners-Elect to provide input on candidates directly to Janik.