Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners held a Budget Work Session on October 1, 2024, chaired by Ty Wessell, with Commissioner O'Rourke, Rexroat, Ross, Wessell, and Allgaier present (District #1 vacant). The Board approved the agenda 6-0 and reviewed several capital improvement, revenue, and expenditure items in preparation for the 2025 budget, with follow-up items scheduled for the October 8, 2024 session.
Public Comments
Bill Wiesner spoke in person during both public comment periods; no specific concerns or responses were recorded in the minutes.
Infrastructure Projects
Maintenance Director Jerry Culman and D&W Mechanical Technician Gary O'Conner discussed Capital Improvement Plan items including Sewer System Control Panels, Roof Access Platforms at the Law Enforcement Center, and the Government Center Cooling Tower and Air Exchange Handler. The Board reached consensus to defer the Sewer System Control Panels to the 2026 budget or later, to proceed with the Roof Access Platforms in 2024 through the Buildings & Grounds budget, and directed Interim Administrator Richard Lewis to gather more information on the Cooling Tower/Air Exchange Handler and report back at a future meeting.
Other Business
Interim Administrator Lewis reported the Suttons Bay Downtown Development Authority will attend the October 8 session regarding a tax capture request. The Traverse Area District Library will submit its talking library funding request through the Senior Services Department. Lewis will trial an internal staff member for the Drain Commissioner's part-time secretary request before further reporting. Regarding the Veronica Valley mower, Culman noted the current mower is aging; the Board reached consensus for Lewis to develop specifications and seek bids for a replacement mower, with the tractor placed on a future request list.
Financial Summary
Finance Director Cathy Hartesvelt reviewed the 2025 Budget Book Revenue Summary and General Fund Expenditures Summary with County Treasurer John A. Gallagher III present. Lewis explained supplemental information on transfers from the General Fund to other Special Funds for 2025. Lewis also presented the Michigan Opioid Settlement Funds Toolkit for Board review.
Action Items
- Interim Administrator Lewis to report back on Cooling Tower/Air Exchange Handler options for the Government Center.
- Lewis to develop mower specifications and solicit bids; tractor added to future request list.
- Lewis to bring Capital Improvement Plan requests back for the October 8, 2024 session.
- Finance Director Hartesvelt to forward the D&W Mechanical contract to Commissioner Rexroat.
- Commissioner Allgaier requested future discussion on the 2025 starting wage for the Senior Services Director.
- Chairman Wessell requested discussion of the Capital Outlay list, IT Technician position, Senior Services Director starting salary, and whether Opioid Settlement Funds could offset funding for the Northern Lakes Community Mental Health Authority.