Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners held a Budget Work Session on July 14, 2026, chaired by Steve Yoder. The Board approved the agenda 4-0 (Bunek, Campbell, Robbins absent) and spent the session discussing the timeline and priorities for the 2027 budget process, with Interim Administrator Lauren Cypher presenting a proposed meeting schedule. No formal budget decisions were made; this was a planning and discussion session.
Public Comments
No individuals spoke during the 3-minute agenda-specific public comment period or the later 5-minute public comment period. Written comments were submitted and are available via a link on the county website, but their content is not summarized in the minutes.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Commissioner Bunek asked whether Parks and Recreation would bring project recommendations to the Board during budget discussions. Interim Administrator Cypher confirmed that was the plan.
Infrastructure Projects
Commissioner Bunek requested that cell phone towers be included in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), noting he believed the matter was already going to be handled this year. Commissioner Campbell compared Leelanau's CIP approach unfavorably to Benzie County, where the board reviews the CIP quarterly, whereas Leelanau treats it as an emergency rather than routine review. Chairman Yoder stated the CIP should be a more detailed product than a simple list of projects, including timelines. Commissioner Wessell raised the status of the Government Center HVAC system; Cypher replied that the Spicer Group should provide numbers back to her, with associated funds expected to roll into 2027.
Other Business
Cypher outlined a proposed 2027 budget meeting schedule, suggesting fewer meetings than the 10 held in 2025, with a goal of Board approval by October. Budget Work Sessions were discussed to begin Friday, August 21, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. Commissioner Wessell requested that department presentations include County Treasurer John A. Gallagher III and Finance Director Rio Risbridger, and that the Board review the Michigan Treasury's per-county dashboard. Commissioner Campbell requested the Benzie-Leelanau Health Department present its budget this year, and suggested a maximum 3% increase guideline for department budgets. Commissioner Wessell noted a likely funding request from Community Mental Health. Discussion also touched on an RFP for financial software, with bids due August 20, 2026, and a request from Wessell for IT to address sound and projection issues in the Board room.
Financial Summary
Finance Director Risbridger explained that budget realignment typically involves funds carried over year to year, and she wants Elected Officials/Department Heads to justify why amounts roll over. No specific dollar figures, votes, or funding allocations were finalized during this session.
Action Items
Interim Administrator Cypher to finalize and post a 2027 budget meeting schedule, with sessions beginning August 21, 2026. Cypher to await HVAC cost figures from the Spicer Group. Department heads, including the Treasurer, Finance Director, and Benzie-Leelanau Health Department, are expected to present budgets in upcoming sessions. Financial software RFP bids are due August 20, 2026. Parks and Recreation is expected to bring project recommendations to a future meeting.