Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners Executive Board Session convened September 10, 2024, chaired by Ty Wessell, with Commissioners O'Rourke, Rexroat, Ross, Allgaier, and Lautner present (District #1 vacant). The Board approved numerous action items including an inmate housing agreement with Grand Traverse County, an early hire for a Corrections Officer, several finance and grant matters, a millage rate request, a lawn maintenance contract extension, a Brownfield public hearing date, and a one-year audit services extension. The Board also held a closed session on collective bargaining and discussed the Road Commissioner vacancy following the passing of Mr. Popa.
Public Comments
During the agenda-specific comment period, Bill Weisner, Sam Getsinger, and Rick Robbins spoke in person. During the open comment period later in the meeting, Bill Wiesner spoke again. Written comments were also submitted and are available via the county's meeting handouts link. The minutes do not detail the specific content of these comments.
Other Business
Interim Administrator Richard Lewis reported hiring Jennifer Kain as HR Manager starting September 30, and Finance Director Cathy Hartesvelt reported new hires with a goal of a full team by October 1. Lewis reported receiving a letter from Cherry Capital Airport Authority CEO Kevin Klein requesting a joint meeting with the counties. Chairman Wessell commented on statewide financial difficulties facing Community Mental Health. The Board approved the County Administrator job description (dated September 4, 2024) with a salary range of $110,000 to $140,000, and authorized the Clerk and Administrator to extend the contract with search consultant Chet Janik, whose fee is $4,000. A discussion on the Chief Deputy Salary Adjustment (Register of Deeds and Treasurer) was moved to the regular session per a 6-0 vote (Rexroat motion), after Lautner's motion to instead defer it to budget discussions failed for lack of a second.
Financial Summary
- Child Care Fund: 2024 budget amendment reallocating $12,914.00 in wages/benefits for counselor John Boonstra, approved 6-0.
- MIDC Grant: Approved 6-0, total authorized budget of $383,778.60 (state share $330,532.38; local share $53,246.22), grant period October 1, 2024–September 30, 2025.
- Chart of Accounts contract with Rehman Public Sector Solutions: $30,000.00, funded from contingency, bid policy waived, approved 6-0.
- FY2024 L-4029 tax rate request approved 6-0: Road .5000 mill, Senior Services .3200 mill, Early Childhood .2000 mill (reduced from maximum allowable).
- Spinniken Lawn contract extension approved 6-0: $520.00 per mow, optional spring clean-up at $84.00/hour, dethatching rate updated to $1,500.00.
- Audit services: One-year extension with Rehman approved 5-1 (Rexroat opposed), totaling $85,000.00 ($69,000.00 county financial/single audit; $15,000.00 Road Commission audit).
- Claims and Accounts approved 5-0 (Ross absent): $244,906.83.
- Post Audit Claims and Accounts approved 5-0 (Ross absent): $7,671,535.22.
Action Items
- Chief Deputy Salary Adjustment (Register of Deeds, Treasurer) to be presented at the regular session with requested information provided beforehand; no effective date set.
- Road Commissioner vacancy replacement process to proceed, per Board consensus, following Clerk Michelle Crocker's guidance.
- Administrator interview schedule to be addressed after budget discussions.
- Follow-up planned regarding Cherry Capital Airport Authority's request for a joint meeting.