Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners met in Executive Session on May 12, 2026, chaired by Steve Yoder, with all seven commissioners present. Key actions included recommending retention of forfeited earnest money from the Varley property sale for the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (5-2), approving the FY2027 Community Corrections grant application of $316,501.25, setting the 2026 millage rate at 3.2002 with $200,000 earmarked for a rainy-day fund (4-3), and approving several RFP issuances. The Board also held a closed session on attorney-client communications regarding a special legal services assignment involving Joni Flaska.
Public Comments
Under the 1-minute general concern period, Gerald S. Schatz, J.D. and Sonja Tostige spoke. Under the 3-minute agenda-specific period, Micky Eder and Steven Tostige spoke. Later in the meeting, Steve Mikowski also addressed the Board. Written comments were submitted and made available via the county website link, though their contents were not detailed in the minutes. Commissioner Campbell noted that his views aligned with concerns raised by Steven Tostige and Steve Mikowski regarding the lack of transparency on the closed session motion, specifically that the public was not given any generalized explanation (e.g., whether it was a personnel matter) before the Board voted to close session.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The Board approved continuing the partnership with Laurel Voran, LLC for care of the endangered Michigan monkey flower habitat at Old Settler's Park for the 2026 season, in the amount of $1,300.00, funded from the Repairs and Maintenance account #101.850.756.775.000 (6-1, Bunek opposed). The Board also approved purchasing fish from Laggis Fish Farms to restock ponds at Veronica Valley County Park for Kids Fishing Day, not to exceed $8,566.00, funded from account #101.850.756.727.000 (6-0-1, Campbell abstaining due to his association with the Lake Leelanau Lake Association, which covers remaining costs).
Infrastructure Projects
The Board authorized Emergency Management Director Matt Ansorge to negotiate extending tower lease agreement terms from 15 years up to 30 years (7-0). The Board also approved the First Amendment to the Tower Space Lease Agreement with Verizon Wireless at the Central Tower site, authorizing the Chairman to sign (7-0). Additionally, Administrator Dyer reported an email from The Spicer Group recommending relocating the Government Center's cooling tower to the parking lot level, which would increase anticipated repair costs; a presentation was recommended for the May 19 Regular Session or a special session if needed.
Other Business
The Board approved a resolution allowing Commissioner Campbell to abstain from the fish purchase vote (6-1, Bunek opposed). The Sheriff's Office LiveScan unit purchase from ID Networks for $5,280.00 was approved (7-0), with funding source to be determined from the Sheriff's budget. The 2026 Remonumentation Grant of $30,667.00 was approved (7-0). The Prosecutor's Office contract MA23-609 was extended through September 30, 2027 (7-0). An RFP for Opioid Settlement Funds management was approved (7-0), and an RFP for Employee Health and Benefits Management was approved (5-2, Bunek and Campbell opposed). The Civil Infraction Bureau Ordinance was adopted (6-1, Bunek opposed). A 2% allocation request from the Northwest Regional Medical Control Authority for radios ($17,476.84) failed unanimously (0-7) for missing the policy timeline. Strategic Plan RFP proposals were tabled for further review by Administrator Dyer.
Financial Summary
The 2026 L-4029 millage rate was set at 3.2002 (down from 3.2520 in 2025), with taxable value increased by over $242 million; the amended motion also directed $200,000 toward a rainy-day fund as part of the budget process (4-3, Bunek, Robbins, Walter opposed). Administrator Dyer confirmed county revenue would increase by approximately $540,000. The Brownfield Varley property forfeiture was clarified as approximately $96,000 (after closing costs), separate from an earlier $100,000 capital infusion loan already repaid/forgiven. Claims and Accounts were approved in the amount of $95,380.93 (7-0). Post Audit Claims and Accounts were deferred to the May 19 Regular Session due to a balancing issue reported by Finance Director Rio Risbridger.
Action Items
- Finance Director Rio Risbridger to email Post Audit reports by Friday, May 15, 2026, for approval at the May 19 Regular Session.
- Administrator Dyer to double-check bid tabulation numbers for the Strategic Plan RFP proposals.
- Two draft ordinances for the Civil Infraction Bureau to be emailed to commissioners for review before the May 19 Regular Session.
- The Spicer Group to present on Government Center cooling tower repair cost increases, either at the May 19 Regular Session or a special session.
- Grand Traverse County Resource Recovery Director Lydia Gulow to present the Tri-County Materials Management Plan at the June Executive Session for Board approval.
- Commissioners to email Administrator Dyer with suggestions on permissible Opioid remediation services.
- County Policy Updates moved to the May 19, 2026 Regular Session (6-1, Campbell opposed).
- Conflict of Interest and Complaint Policy Committee to meet Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 1:00 p.m.
- Commissioner Robbins requested a Buildings and Grounds Committee meeting to discuss the Board room video system and a lighted public notice panel for outside the building.
- Following closed session, the Board voted 7-0 to accept litigation counsel's advice regarding the special legal services assignment involving Joni Flaska.