Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners held a Budget Work Session on October 14, 2025, chaired by Steve Yoder, with all seven commissioners present (Robbins, Walter, Bunek, Wessell, Campbell, Allgaier, Yoder). The Board reached consensus on several 2026 budget items, including restructuring Sheriff's Office staffing budgets, exploring a vehicle leasing option, and reclassifying an Administrative Secretary position. Numerous capital outlay and departmental budget items were reviewed and decided line by line. The next Budget Work Session is scheduled for October 21, 2025, at 11:30 a.m., with Commissioners Allgaier and Campbell expected to be absent.
Public Comments
Sheriff Michael Borkovich and Kathy Dawkins spoke during public comment. Written comments were also submitted and are available via the county's agenda link. Commissioner Campbell requested that Sheriff Borkovich be present at the presentation table when the position request was discussed; Administrator Dyer agreed he could join if he chose. No public comments were made during the second public comment period.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The Board reviewed several Parks & Recreation items: the Myles Kimmerly disc golf project and Old Settler's gazebo were addressed for 2025; the Veronica Valley path to pond had no recommendation; a Grant Writer position was recommended by Administration to be budgeted at $5,000 for contractual services and $5,000 under Administration, with Administrator Dyer to vet the process; the Poor Farm Barn ADA-compliant bathroom facility will wait for a recommendation from the Parks & Recreation Commission; a DNR Grant remains pending in Contingency within the Capital Projects Fund #470; and two cell phone boosters for parks (under Buildings & Grounds/Parks & Rec) will be budgeted.
Infrastructure Projects
The Wastewater Treatment system upgrade will be placed on hold pending a system study, with $19,700 for the study placed in Contingency. The Government Center Tower Deconstruction was noted as not having enough data for discussion. A Capital Improvement Chilling Tower project originally slated for 2025 will move to 2026 due to pending engineering. The Leland Dam Control Roof is to be completed in 2025. A DTR Fund transfer of $150,000 to Capital Project Fund #470 was designated for heat pump replacement. Communications Capital Project purchases of $21,250 from the General Fund were approved, with a New Radio System recommended for General Fund Contingency funding.
Other Business
LCFCC Coordinator Sharon Vreeland presented an Opioid Settlement Funds worksheet regarding a laundry project. HR Manager Jennifer Kain reported that Blue Cross Blue Shield had not yet provided renewal paperwork for health insurance, with the County's renewal start date of February 1. The Board reached consensus to reclassify the Administrative Secretary (Teamsters 214) position to an Office Manager, Grade 2 wage schedule; Commissioner Wessell noted he had reversed his earlier opposition after speaking with Undersheriff Kiessel and the employee. Numerous IT, Building & Grounds, and department-specific capital items were approved or denied for the 2026 budget (see attached worksheet). Corrections Overtime increase request was tabled to the next meeting.
Financial Summary
Administrator Dyer recommended eliminating the TNT budget and reallocating it to Road Patrol, budgeting two positions at 50% (11 total FTEs), and budgeting one Corrections position at 50%, projected to save $80,000-$120,000. Commissioner Robbins noted a potential additional $70,000 savings by not purchasing an extra patrol car. Dyer proposed exploring a vehicle leasing option with Enterprise for 4 patrol vehicles and 1 truck (Building Safety), potentially saving up to $260,000-$300,000 versus the estimated $300,000 purchase cost, with lease payments around $37,000-$50,000 (~$1,000/vehicle/month). Savings would be restricted to Fund #470 capital projects. Commissioner Campbell requested other vendors be sought via RFP; Board consensus was for Administration to explore options and report back. Other financial items: Veteran's Burial increased from $300 to $500 per event; copy charges increased to $.05 (B&W)/$.10 (Color); mileage charge increased to $.75 (0-80k)/$.50 (over 80k); Sheriff's Office Capital Outlay increased to $18,000; Building Safety truck purchase of $50,000 approved; IT Safety Net contract replacement of $150,000 approved; a 5% increase request from Benzie-Leelanau Health Department was discussed, with Finance Director Hartesvelt to verify inclusion in the budget.
Action Items
Administrator Dyer to prepare the final 2026 budget incorporating Sheriff's Office staffing consensus and present it to the Board and public by end of October, allowing 10 days for review before Executive Session and final approval at the November board meeting. Dyer to explore vehicle leasing options with Enterprise and other vendors and report back to the Board; no purchase decision has been made. Finance Director Hartesvelt to verify whether the Benzie-Leelanau Health Department's requested 5% increase was included in the budget. Commissioner Bunek raised concerns about the Early Childhood budget being incomplete, specifically that the United We Smile contract (believed to be $3,000/month) is not reflected for 2025 or 2026, and that a calculation error for indirect rates needs review. Corrections Overtime increase request tabled to the next meeting for further discussion.