Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners met April 21, 2026, with all seven commissioners present. The board approved prior minutes, extended a local state of emergency declaration through May 6 due to April flooding, awarded an emergency access road repair contract, authorized the Administrator to pursue grants to implement the Leland Dam Spicer Inspection Report, revised the county vehicle use mileage policy from 10 to 15 miles, and approved a road millage renewal ballot proposal for the August 2026 election.
Public Comments
Under the 3-minute agenda-specific comment period, Rebecca Hendrick, Rob Franzo, Jim White, Steve Tostige, and Jean Peterson spoke; written comments were also submitted and posted online. Later in the meeting, Jim White, Steve Mikowski, and Mickey Deeter offered additional public comment. No speakers addressed the 1-minute general topics period. Specific concerns were not detailed in the minutes beyond noting the speakers' names and that written comments are available on the county website.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The board approved issuing an RFP for the Myles Kimmerly Park court conversion project, authorizing the Facilities Director to solicit bids. Commissioners also approved installing a sign at Veronica Valley County Park designating it the home course for the Leelanau St. Mary's Cross Country team. After debate over competing bids, the board (Motion #117, Bunek/Robbins, 7-0) approved Lake Leelanau Excavating's estimate of $5,458.15 to repair the Veronica Valley Park access road washed out by flooding, using Parks and Recreation general fund repair/maintenance dollars, after Commissioner Wessell withdrew an earlier motion favoring Popp Excavating.
Infrastructure Projects
The board waived bid policy requirements and accepted Machin Engineering, Inc.'s proposal for a Leelanau Government Center wastewater system study, not to exceed $24,700. Regarding the Leland Dam, following extended discussion between Commissioners Campbell, Bunek, and Walter over whether to pursue one grant or a series, the board (Motion #114/#115, Bunek/Allgaier, 7-0) authorized the Administrator to apply for a dam restoration grant and to pursue any grant necessary to implement the Spicer Inspection Report's recommendations, including a crack-monitoring sensor.
Other Business
Northern Lakes Community Mental Health CEO Lynda Zeller and county representative Greg McMorrow presented an annual update. The board approved a vehicle use policy change extending the take-home mileage radius from 10 to 15 miles (6-1, Bunek opposed), with Commissioner Robbins and Bunek raising concerns about undocumented costs. Commissioner Bunek noted the Youth League may request an anti-drug/opioid-funding agenda slot next month; commissioners discussed developing a process/criteria before accepting funding requests.
Financial Summary
Approved: SonicWall firewalls for $8,038.87 (Data Processing Fund #636); NACO Leadership Academy for five employees at $5,000 (Education Fund); wastewater study not to exceed $24,700; $7,500 credit card limit transferred to Finance Director Rio Risbridger; claims and accounts of $314,462.08; post-audit claims and accounts of $2,829,800.88. The road millage renewal, if approved by voters, would raise an estimated $2,104,175 at 0.5000 mill for 2026-2027.
Action Items
Administrator Dyer to draft/finalize the vehicle use policy for regular full-time employees with grandfathering; a cost analysis of vehicle policy expenses was requested by Commissioner Robbins. Administrator's annual review must occur no later than June 1, 2026. A more comprehensive monthly financial report is to be included in next month's packet. Commissioners plan to establish opioid-fund request criteria in May before inviting groups such as the Little League to present.