Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners met September 9, 2025, in Executive Session, Chairman Steve Yoder presiding. The Board approved numerous financial, personnel, and policy items, including tax rate requests, facility contracts, opioid settlement agreements, and a temporary hiring freeze. Presentations included updates from the Medical Examiner, Opioid Settlement Fund advisors, and the Housing Collaborative.
Public Comments
Two public comment periods were held. In the first, Darlene Doorlag, Deb Kuhn, Kim Boose, Sue Miller, Justina Hlvaka, Tim McCauley, and Dana Getsinger spoke in person. In the second, Steve Mikowski, Bill Wiesner, and Jim White spoke. Written comments were also submitted and are available via the county’s agenda link, though their contents are not detailed in the minutes.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
Housing Collaborative member Jamie Jewell presented, joined by Sharon Oriel (Housing Collaborative) and Lois Bahle (Chair, Housing Action Committee/Planning Commission). Chairman Yoder said he would place the Housing Collaborative on next month’s agenda for further discussion. Separately, the Board voted 5-2 (Allgaier, Campbell, Robbins, Wessell, Yoder in favor; Bunek, Walter opposed) to allow Housing North to apply for Fall 2025 2% allocation funds for “Housing Ready Community Planning and Housing Action Strategy Implementation.”
Infrastructure Projects
The Board approved issuing an RFP for replacement of the dimmable lighting system at the Leelanau County Corrections Facility (LEC) and connecting corridor with 2x4 drop-in LED panels, directing staff to explore grant funding before final contract award (motion by Walter, seconded by Robbins/Allgaier; 7-0). The Board also approved a quote from McCardel Culligan ($16,450.28) to replace the humidification system at the county jail (motion by Wessell, seconded by Robbins; 7-0), with Commissioner Bunek requesting future motions specify funding sources.
Other Business
Medical Examiner Dr. Patrick Hansma and Michigan Association of Counties advisor Amy Dolinky gave updates on office operations and opioid settlement fund planning. The Board approved the FY2025 L-4029 tax rate request (Road .5000, Senior Services .3200, Early Childhood .2000) 7-0. A 3-year, $459,264 service agreement with D&W Mechanical (Gary O’Connor) was approved 6-1 (Bunek opposed), waiving bid requirements as sole source. Justina Hlvaka was appointed to the Veteran’s Affairs Administrative Committee (7-0); Steve Stanton was recognized for his prior service (7-0). The Board approved resolutions for the Purdue/Sackler, Small Manufacturer, and Sandoz opioid settlements (7-0), and opposing MDHHS’s competitive procurement process for Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans (6-1, Campbell opposed). Commissioner Robbins’ motion for a temporary hiring freeze until 2026 budget approval passed 5-2 (Bunek, Campbell opposed), with an exception allowing Finance Director Hartesvelt to hire a needed Account Clerk. The Board voted 7-0 to release a July 25, 2025 legal opinion on conflict of interest and directed the Administrator to compile existing conflict-of-interest policies for legal review toward a uniform county policy (7-0, motion by Bunek). Commissioners also discussed forming a possible Early Childhood Ad Hoc Committee; Chairman Yoder opted instead to have the Early Childhood Committee present at a full Board budget work session.
Financial Summary
- FY2025 L-4029 tax rate approved: Road .5000, Senior Services .3200, Early Childhood .2000, to be levied December 1 (7-0).
- Humidification system replacement approved at $16,450.28 (McCardel Culligan quote, 7-0).
- D&W Mechanical 3-year facilities service agreement approved at $459,264.00 (6-1).
- MIDC Grant #E2026 and MACC contract with Paul Jarboe (Jarboe & Pfeil) for $60,000.00 (Oct 1, 2025–Sept 30, 2026) forwarded to Sept 16 meeting (7-0).
- Claims and Accounts approved: $142,867.07 (7-0).
- Post Audit Claims and Accounts approved: $6,197,261.70 (7-0).
- Authorization given to issue an RFP for auditing services covering at least two but no more than three years, beginning with the 2025 audit (7-0).
Action Items
- Housing Collaborative to be added to next month’s Board agenda (Chairman Yoder).
- Resolution for the temporary hiring freeze to be drafted for approval at the September 16, 2025 Regular Session.
- Final RFP for auditing services to be approved at the September 16, 2025 Regular Session.
- MIDC Grant and MACC contract items forwarded to the September 16, 2025 Regular Session for approval.
- Administrator Dyer to compile existing county conflict-of-interest policies and submit them to legal counsel for drafting a uniform policy; potential review of current board members’ outside affiliations for conflicts.
- Early Childhood Committee to present at an upcoming full Board budget work session regarding a potential childcare voucher program.
- Commissioner Bunek requested future contract motions specify funding sources (e.g., humidification system).