Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners Building Safety Committee, chaired by William Bunek with Commissioner Steve Yoder present, met July 7, 2025. The committee recommended purchase of a new truck for the Building Safety Department, discussed a take-home vehicle policy for a new employee, and held an extended discussion on affordable housing permit fees without taking action.
Public Comments
No public comment was offered during the initial public comment period. Later in the meeting, during the five-minute public comment period, resident Alan Campbell spoke; the minutes do not detail his remarks or any response given.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
Building Official Amber Weber presented a handout analyzing whether Building Safety permit fees could be reduced to support affordable housing. Commissioner Yoder said his review showed permit fees amount to less than 1% of total home construction costs, calling any reduction "a drop in the bucket," and noted that lowering fees would reduce the Building Safety Department Fund balance. Weber agreed the fees are small relative to overall building costs and noted the department already waives plan review fees for developers using the same house plans on multiple sites. Commissioner Bunek said he wanted to support affordable housing but felt fee reductions would create more administrative problems than benefits, particularly around change orders on permits. Weber stated fees have likely not been raised since the early 2000s and that Leelanau's fees are lower than the statewide average. Bunek noted the fee structure has effectively supported affordability by remaining unchanged through a decade of inflation. No motion was made; the committee reached no formal decision to change fees.
Other Business
Building Official Weber reported one Ford Ranger is being repaired and presented specifications for a 2025 Toyota Tundra from Serra Motors in Traverse City. Commissioner Bunek moved, seconded by Yoder, to recommend the full Board of Commissioners approve purchase of one 2025 Toyota Tundra truck. The recommendation passed 2-0 (Bunek, Yoder).
Weber and Finance Director Cathy Hartesvelt described how Grand Traverse County handles take-home vehicles and associated fringe benefits, in connection with a new employee's potential use of a take-home vehicle. After discussion with Administrator James Dyer, the committee reached consensus to request further information at the next meeting regarding a specific take-home vehicle policy for the Building Safety Department.
The agenda was approved as written (2-0), and minutes of the June 23, 2025 meeting were approved as written (2-0).
Action Items
Building Official Amber Weber, Finance Director Cathy Hartesvelt, and Administrator James Dyer are to provide additional information to the committee at the next scheduled meeting regarding a specific take-home vehicle policy for the Building Safety Department.