Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners held a budget work session on September 9, 2025. Key outcomes included the approval of the agenda and the presentation by Enterprise Fleet Management regarding vehicle leasing options and management. A thorough discussion on property tax revenue projections for the upcoming budget year also occurred, leading to considerations for estimates and contingency planning.Public Comments
Bill Wiesner spoke during the public comment section, though specific concerns were not detailed in the minutes. He also provided written comments, referenced in a linked document.Infrastructure Projects
The main focus was on the potential engagement with Enterprise Fleet Management for vehicle management, which would provide leasing options for the county's vehicle fleet. Administrator Dyer requested that Enterprise present two contracting options: one to replace vehicles planned for the current year, and another to detail the leasing of additional vehicles for future budgeting. After discussions, the Board agreed to this next step to evaluate leasing versus purchasing vehicles.Financial Summary
Administrator Dyer presented projections regarding property tax revenue, which constitute about 65% of the General Fund budget. Estimated revenues ranged from $4.3 to $4.4 million based on historical data, with Treasurer Gallagher providing a more conservative estimate of approximately $14.1 million for the coming year. The potential for budget adjustments and the inclusion of new taxable developments were also discussed to avoid underestimating revenue for the 2026 budget.Action Items
- Administrator Dyer to pursue a contract agreement with Enterprise Fleet Management for vehicle management and provide an apples-to-apples comparison of leasing versus buying. - Administrator Dyer to reach out to other counties to gather information on their vehicle management practices. - The prioritization of capital improvements will be moved to a future budget session.The Board acknowledged the need to reassess vehicle needs and make informed decisions regarding funding allocation for capital improvements as part of future budgeting discussions.