Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners met in Executive Session on April 14, 2026, with Chairman Steve Yoder presiding and all seven commissioners present. The meeting featured significant debate over a resolution honoring County Clerk Michelle Crocker's 30th anniversary in office, several infrastructure and parks votes, staffing and budget discussions, and multiple financial approvals.
Public Comments
Under the 1-Minute Topic of General County Concern, Lois Bahle spoke. Under the 3-Minute Agenda Specific comment period, Steve Mikowski, Dana Getsinger, Josh Barnum, and Jim White spoke. Written comments were submitted and are available via a linked document, though their content was not detailed in the minutes. Later in the meeting, a second public comment period included remarks from Jim White, County Clerk Michelle L. Crocker, Steve Mikowski, Tim McCally, Bill Wiesner, Chief Deputy Clerk Jennifer L. Zywicki, and Dave Forton; written comments from this session were also linked but not summarized in the document.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Parks and Recreation Chairman Charles Godbout presented two items. Commissioners voted 7-0 (Allgaier, Bunek, Campbell, Robbins, Walter, Wessell, Yoder) to approve issuing an RFP for the Myles Kimmerly Park Court Conversion project, authorizing the Facilities Director to solicit bids. Commissioners also voted 7-0 to approve installation of a sign at Veronica Valley County Park designating it as the home course for the Leelanau St. Mary's Cross Country team.
Infrastructure Projects
Facilities Director Pat Roach presented the Leland Dam Inspection Report; commissioners voted 5-2 (Bunek, Robbins, Walter, Wessell, Yoder in favor; Allgaier and Campbell opposed) to apply for a Dam Restoration Grant. Commissioner Campbell also asked about a pending legal opinion on signage for the Dam walkway; Administrator Dyer said no opinion has been received yet. Regarding wastewater, commissioners voted 7-0 to waive bid policy requirements and accept a proposal from Machin Engineering, Inc. for a Wastewater System Study at the Government Center, not to exceed $24,700.00. Drain Commissioner Chet Janik presented 2026 updates and goals via handout; no vote was recorded.
Other Business
- Commissioners voted 4-3 (Wessell, Robbins, Walter, Allgaier yes; Yoder, Bunek, Campbell no) to remove the resolution honoring Clerk Crocker's 30th anniversary from the agenda, following extended debate about process, consistency, and timing versus honoring staff at retirement.
- Approved (7-0) the Road Commission's Roads and Highways Maintenance and Repair Millage Renewal Resolution for the August 4, 2026 ballot.
- Approved (7-0) a Sheriff's Office contract extension with Cherryland Humane Society (Oct 1–Dec 31, 2026).
- Approved (7-0) maintaining status quo for the 9-1-1 surcharge collections/remittance.
- No action taken on Well and Septic Inspection Timelines (Bunek); Board consensus was for no action.
- Approved (7-0) staff overlap training for the Clerk's Office, amid debate between Commissioner Wessell and Clerk Crocker over staffing levels and comparisons to other counties.
- Approved (7-0) purchase of SonicWall firewalls from Dell for $8,038.87 (Data Processing Fund #636).
- Approved (7-0) submitting an MMRMA RAP grant request for a backup/storage/firewall project.
- Approved (7-0) NACO Leadership Academy course for five employees (Cypher, Dyer, Kain, Risbridger, Wilson) for $5,000.00 (Education Fund).
- Approved (7-0) issuing an RFP for agenda/minutes management software.
- Approved (7-0) transferring the $7,500.00 Finance Director credit limit to Rio Risbridger.
- Approved (6-1, Bunek opposed) Vehicle Use Policy changes raising distance limitation from 10 to 15 miles, grandfathering current employees, and updating IRS code references.
- Board consensus to review department fees during the budget process (Bunek item).
- Approved (5-2, Bunek and Campbell opposed) moving Grant Policy Revisions to the April 21, 2026 Regular Session.
- Approved (7-0) holding Administrator James Dyer's annual review no later than June 1, 2026, using the same process as August 2025.
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan update presented by Pat Salton and Lew Wolters; Building Safety update presented by Building Official Weber.
- Commissioner Wessell reported the Materials Management Plan (Grand Traverse, Benzie, Leelanau counties) must be completed by July 1, 2026, with Township approval expected in August.
Financial Summary
Claims and Accounts were approved (7-0) in the amount of $213,222.46. No Post Audit Claims and Accounts were presented; approval was moved to the April 21, 2026 Regular Session (7-0). No amendments or miscellaneous fund transfers were reported. Approved expenditures included $8,038.87 for SonicWall firewalls (Data Processing Fund #636), $24,700.00 (not to exceed) for the wastewater system study, $5,000.00 for the NACO Leadership Academy (Education Fund), and a $7,500.00 credit card limit transferred to Finance Director Rio Risbridger.
Action Items
- HR Manager to work with the Administrator to develop a consistent staff recognition policy and return with a plan in May and June, per Commissioner Wessell's request.
- Post Audit Claims and Accounts approval moved to the April 21, 2026 Regular Session, pending posting of outstanding March invoices.
- Planning Director Gail Myer to update the Board on the Materials Management Plan at the May Executive Session.
- Clark Schaffer Hackett auditors (Amr Elaskary, CPA, and Cody Mitchell, CPA) to return in June or July to present the 2025 Audit.
- Department fee review to occur during the upcoming budget process.
- Grant Policy Revisions moved to April 21, 2026 Regular Session for further action.
- Note of ongoing tension regarding the Clerk's Office: debate continued between Commissioner Wessell and Clerk Crocker over staffing levels and department comparisons; Commissioner Robbins also raised staffing concerns across departments including the Clerk's Office, to be addressed at budget time.