Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners met December 16, 2025, with Chairman Steve Yoder presiding. The Board approved multiple consent agenda items, several board/commission appointments, a contentious fleet-leasing negotiation authorization, dissolution of the Housing Action Committee in favor of the Housing Collaborative, and financial claims and budget amendments. Commissioner Bunek was briefly absent for one roll call vote.
Public Comments
Agenda-specific public comment was given by Steve Tostige. During general public comment, Jim Cantwil, Steve Mikowski, Bill Wiesner, and Josh Bareman spoke; written comments were also submitted and are available via the county's agenda link. No specific board responses to these comments were recorded in the minutes.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
Commissioner Robbins moved to dissolve the Housing Action Committee. After Commissioners Wessell and Allgaier withdrew an initial amendment, the Board (Wessell, seconded by Robbins) amended the motion to dissolve the committee and instead support the Housing Collaborative; this passed 7-0. A follow-up motion by Robbins, seconded by Walter, confirmed the same action, also passing 7-0.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The Board approved (6-1, Bunek opposed) modification of the 2018 Poor Barn Lease Agreement with the Leelanau County Historic Preservation Society, authorizing the Administrator to negotiate revisions subject to legal counsel approval. Separately, Commissioner Bunek raised concern that citizen Kathy Dawkins holds three board appointments and suggested a new appointee be considered for the Parks and Recreation Commission; Administrator Dyer said he would develop a vacancy-filling policy and raise it at the January Organizational meeting.
Infrastructure Projects
The Board approved a land lease agreement with the Leelanau County Road Commission to store materials for a communication tower purchased through Midway Electronics, pending legal approval. Separately, the Board approved closing out the Midway Electronics contract, allocating $90,000 from the Delinquent Tax Revolving Fund #516 to the Communications Capital Project Fund #468 to pay invoice #56216 plus delivery costs.
Other Business
Numerous appointments were made to boards including Construction Board of Appeals (Robert Miller), Land Bank Fast Track Authority (Josh Bareman, 6-1 with Bunek opposed), Leland Dam Authority (Richard Thompson, Dawn Lund), NRAA Zoning Board (Steve Patmore), Planning Commission (Brian Fenlon, Tom Nixon, Steve Ruddell, Christopher Logan), and Solid Waste Council (Robert Newell, Mark Bevelhymer, Marcia Harris, James Palmer). The Board waived the bid policy to purchase PowerDMS software (up to $31,000 over three years) and approved a new Sheriff's Office Office Manager job description (5-2, Bunek and Campbell opposed). A contested motion authorizing negotiation of a managed fleet vehicle leasing contract with Enterprise Fleet passed 5-2 (Bunek, Campbell opposed) after a "call the question" motion passed 4-3. An Ad Hoc Conflict of Interest and Complaint Policy Committee was formed, comprising Commissioners Campbell, Yoder, and Allgaier (7-0).
Financial Summary
The Board approved a $70,000 (first-year, not to exceed) audit services contract with Clark, Schaefer, Hackett for 2025-2028. It approved Budget Amendment #25-015 and #25-016, and Fund Transfer #25-007. Post-audit claims and accounts were approved in the amount of $3,017,686.56, and claims and accounts totaling $340,645.00 were approved. The Board also approved a $145,981.00 MSU Extension services contract for 2026 and a Netlink printer/copier service agreement not to exceed $16,237.40.
Action Items
- Administrator Dyer to schedule a Special Session in early January 2026 to address insurance renewal.
- Vacant Boards and Commissions positions to be advertised in January.
- Administrator Dyer to develop a policy for filling board vacancies and present it at the January Organizational meeting, addressing Commissioner Bunek's concern about multiple appointments held by one citizen (Kathy Dawkins).
- Union Letter of Agreement closed session item moved to the Special Session on December 30, 2025.
- Ad Hoc Conflict of Interest and Complaint Policy Committee (Campbell, Yoder, Allgaier) to convene and report back.
- Administrator Dyer to forward his update to the Clerk's Office for posting with the minutes.