Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners met July 21, 2026, with all seven commissioners present. The Board approved prior minutes, an amended agenda, the 2025 county audit, several grants and contracts, a Sheriff's Office vehicle purchase, and the Family Court Child Care Fund budget. The Board also appointed Lauren Cypher as Interim County Administrator and, following a closed session on a separation agreement matter, rejected a July 17, 2026 counteroffer while authorizing continued negotiations and execution of a separation agreement within Board-approved parameters.
Public Comments
Under the 1-minute Topic of General County Concern, Jim White spoke. Under 3-minute Agenda Specific comment, Tamera Kiessel and Steve Tostige spoke. Later in the meeting, Steve Mikowski, Jim White, and Bill Wiesner spoke during public comment. Written comments were submitted and made available via a linked document, but the minutes do not summarize their content. Commissioner Campbell read a prepared statement responding to media reports about former Administrator Jim Dyer, stating the Board never authorized proposals for Dyer to "manage a return" to his position, and citing written statements from the former finance clerk, current finance director (a whistleblower complaint), and former assistant finance director describing operational and conduct concerns under Dyer's administration.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
Interim Administrator Cypher reported the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority discussed the Herman Road Housing Development and anticipates the Board hearing from involved parties within one to two months, with a detailed plan to go before Suttons Bay Township before a presentation to the County.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The Board approved (Motion #196, 7-0) a $2,000 2% grant from the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians for the Parks & Recreation Pavilion Project at Veronica Valley Park.
Infrastructure Projects
Cypher reported a bid opening for the Leland Dam Structural Health Monitoring System yielded two proposals, to be reviewed by the Leland Dam Authority with a future Board recommendation. The Board approved (Motion #191, 7-0) the Solon Township Recycling Site striping and fence project for $5,864.00, funded from the Recycling Fund Capital Outlay Account.
Other Business
The Board heard updates from BHS Insurance Benefit Consultants Pat Dalton and Lew Wolters, and from Senior Services/NMCAA staff on Meals on Wheels. The Board approved a Business Associate Agreement with BHS Insurance (Motion #187), delegate appointments to the MERS Conference (Armanda Krantz and the Interim Administrator, Motion #186), an EM internship job description (Motion #183), and a video license agreement with the EPA for a Bluebird Restaurant success story (Motion #185). The Sheriff's Office TIGGS Canteen price increase discussion ended with Board consensus to await further information. The Board approved purchase of a 2026 Ford Police Interceptor for up to $60,000 from the Motor Pool Fund (Motion #189, 6-1, Allgaier opposed). Cypher and commissioners discussed a resolved Sheriff's Office credit card issue tied to Undersheriff Kiessel's account, following prior payment irregularities dating to February 2026; Commissioner Robbins apologized to Mrs. Kiessel for the situation.
Financial Summary
Approved items included: Prosecutor's Crime Victim Rights Grant renewal, $40,397.00 (Motion #184); Child Care Fund Annual Plan/Budget, $875,910.00 (Motion #190, 7-0); 2% Spring Cycle grants of $14,000 (sloaves2fish program, Motion #194, 6-1, Bunek opposed), $2,000 (Inland Seas Education Association, Motion #195, 5-2, Bunek and Walter opposed), $2,000 (Parks & Recreation Pavilion, Motion #196, 7-0), and $2,000 (BOC Audio/Visual upgrade, Motion #197, 7-0); Fund Transfer #26-003 (Motion #201, 7-0); Claims and Accounts, $361,263.67 (Motion #202, 7-0); Post Audit Claims and Accounts, $1,818,350.48 (Motion #203, 7-0). The 2027 Budget will include a proposed 4% wage increase for Non-Union employees, matching union contract increases, per Board consensus.
Action Items
Interim Administrator Cypher will provide the Board more information on County-paid dog care costs (requested by Commissioner Bunek). Cypher will compile and forward a timeline regarding the Sheriff's Office credit card resolution. The Leland Dam Authority will review Leland Dam monitoring system proposals and bring a recommendation to a future Board meeting. The Brownfield Redevelopment Authority will continue work on the Herman Road Housing Development, with a presentation to the County anticipated within one to two months. Corporation Counsel is authorized to continue negotiations on the separation agreement matter discussed in closed session.