Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners Executive Board Session met October 7, 2025, chaired by Steve Yoder, with Commissioner Mark Walter arriving late at 9:58 a.m. The Board approved multiple recommendations including a Sheriff's Office contract with the Village of Suttons Bay, the County Apportionment Report (L-4402), appointments to the Board of Canvassers, a Marijuana Operations & Oversight Grant contract, drain fund actions, IT staffing and licensing changes, and Parks & Recreation improvements. A significant portion of the meeting involved a closed session regarding attorney-client privileged correspondence, followed by extended discussion on County Administrator James Dyer's conduct, complaint procedures, and personnel policy, with several Commissioners voicing support for Dyer.
Public Comments
Two public comment periods were held. In the first, Tim McCalley and Renee Wyler spoke in person; written comments were submitted and are available via the county's agenda link. Commissioner Allgaier stated there should be a policy on public comment, and Chairman Yoder remarked it doesn't reflect well if the public doesn't respect the Board. In the second public comment period, Steve Tostige, Don Spinniken, Amy Hubbell, and Josh Bareman spoke in person, with written comments again available online. Specific concerns raised by these speakers were not detailed in the minutes.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Executive Assistant Lauren Cypher presented two items. The Board voted 7-0 to waive the three-bid policy requirement and authorize agreements with Loon Roofing & Construction LLC and Novak Painting & Wallcovering, Inc. for refurbishment of the Old Settler's Park Gazebo, not to exceed $14,000.00, funded from account #101.850.756.775.000. The Board also voted 7-0 to approve refurbishment of the Myles Kimmerly Disc Golf Course as recommended by the Parks and Recreation Commission, entering an agreement with Aloft Disc Golf for equipment procurement, funded from Parks and Recreation Commission Capital Outlay, not to exceed $22,000.00.
Infrastructure Projects
Drain Commissioner Tim O'Non and GEI Engineering Consultant Brian Cenci presented a drain assessments report and answered questions. The Board voted 7-0 to create a Drain Revolving Fund (#802) for non-petition or routine maintenance of county drains, transferring $30,000.00 from General Fund Contingency. The Board also voted 7-0 to approve a one-year contract renewal with GEI Consultants of Michigan for $15,000.00 for 2026, pending legal review. Additionally, the Board voted 7-0 to authorize an RFP for a full upgrade of the Courthouse lighting management system at the Government Center.
Other Business
Networks Northwest CEO Janie McNabb gave a PowerPoint update. Administrator Dyer reported that state revenue sharing will remain status quo for 2026 and MIDC grants remain uncertain. The Board voted 7-0 to approve increasing an IT Technician from 60% to 100% FTE, and 7-0 to approve 15 Microsoft Office license upgrades funded from Data Processing Fund #636.000.000.970.010. Two items (IT Support Services RFP vendor approval and closed session on union negotiations) were moved to the October 14, 2025 Regular Session. Benzie Leelanau Health Department Officer Dan Thorell reported budget challenges including a 19% healthcare cost increase and use of $360,000.00 from fund balance.
Financial Summary
The Board approved Claims and Accounts totaling $134,898.42 (7-0) and Post Audit Claims and Accounts totaling $6,819,808.34 (7-0). No fund amendments or miscellaneous transfers were reported. Financial allocations included $30,000.00 to the new Drain Revolving Fund, $15,000.00 for GEI drain services, $14,000.00 for gazebo refurbishment, and $22,000.00 for disc golf course upgrades.
Action Items
The Board went into closed session (7-0 vote) to discuss attorney-client privileged correspondence dated 9/26/2025 and 10/3/2025, followed by a 7-0 vote authorizing Chairman Yoder to release a statement as discussed in closed session. Commissioner Campbell raised concerns about the county's complaint procedure policy, arguing an independent, non-county-affiliated investigator should handle such matters rather than corporate counsel. Administrator Dyer agreed the policy needs revision and committed to meeting with Campbell to discuss next steps; Chairman Yoder confirmed this would not move to Regular Session but was discussion only. Commissioners Wessell, Robbins, Allgaier, and Yoder each spoke in support of Administrator Dyer following his lengthy personal statement addressing prior criticism.