Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners met June 9, 2026, with all seven commissioners present. The Board suspended its rules to add an emergency item on County Administration and voted 7-0 to place County Administrator James Dyer on paid administrative leave, effective immediately, pending further review. The Board also approved a $47,000 Marine Safety Program grant, a radio tower lease agreement with Relevant Radio, several surveying peer group agreements, a workers' compensation renewal, and return of Brownfield Redevelopment Authority proceeds. A request from Traverse City to change Northwest Regional Airport Authority board appointments failed 0-7.
Public Comments
Steve Mikowski spoke twice under the 1-minute Topic of General County Concern (once during the general comment period and again later in the meeting); no specific concerns were detailed in the minutes. No one spoke under the 3-minute Agenda Specific comment period. Written comments were submitted and are available via the county's linked agenda page, but their content is not summarized in the minutes.
Infrastructure Projects
Emergency Management & 911 Director Matt Ansorge presented a tower space lease agreement with Relevant Radio for the Central Tower site. On a motion by Bunek, seconded by Walter, the Board voted 7-0 to recommend approval, authorizing the Board Chairman to sign pending final approval from corporate counsel.
Other Business
Networks Northwest CEO Janie McNabb gave a PowerPoint update. Commissioner Wessell updated the Board on the Materials Management Plan. The Equalization Department's staffing was temporarily increased from 4 to 5 for a 20-day (160-hour) training overlap (7-0). Three surveyor peer group/service agreements (O'Non Land Surveying, Homberg Land Survey, Grand Traverse Surveying, and Leelanau Land Surveying) were approved at $800 each, funded from Remonumentation account #101.475.245.801.000 (all 7-0). The Planning Tire Grant item and the Budget Process discussion item were both moved to the June 16, 2026 Regular Session (7-0 each). The Board approved acceptance of an HMEP grant (7-0) and approved release of an attorney opinion on Administrative Settlement Authority, proposed by Commissioner Campbell (7-0). The Airport Authority appointment change request was rejected by roll call, 0 ayes to 7 noes. Chairman Yoder directed Executive Assistant Lauren Cypher to bring five strategic plan proposals to the July board meeting.
Financial Summary
- Marine Safety Program Grant accepted: $47,000 (Michigan DNR), approved 7-0.
- Workers' Compensation renewal approved: $49,525.00 for July 1, 2026–July 1, 2027, through Accident Fund National/Highstreet Insurance, approved 7-0.
- Brownfield Redevelopment Authority to return $96,487.53 in remaining proceeds from a failed real estate transaction involving the former County Building, approved 7-0.
- Financial Analysis Software (AI) Plan: $7,500 reallocated from unused Finance wage/benefits funds to account #101.825.201.801.000 for a Claude for Work Enterprise license, competitive bidding waived; passed 6-1 (Wessell opposed, citing department transition concerns).
- Claims and Accounts approved: $159,503.77 (7-0).
- Post Audit Claims and Accounts approved: $6,672,843.57 (7-0).
- Surveyor agreements: $800 each to three firms, funded from Remonumentation account.
Action Items
- County Administrator James Dyer placed on paid administrative leave pending further Board review and direction.
- Executive Assistant Lauren Cypher to review and forward five strategic plan proposals with timeline for the July board meeting.
- Tire Grant item and Budget Process discussion moved to the June 16, 2026 Regular Session.
- Commissioner Wessell noted the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority has no resources and suggested future discussion of a county contribution; a related motion by Bunek (to implement a prior 12/7/2024 Board motion) was withdrawn after discussion.
- Finance Director Rio Risbridger to continue coordinating with the audit firm to avoid needing a state extension; one remaining jail bond payment to be confirmed.