Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners Executive Session, chaired by Steve Yoder, covered numerous financial, personnel, and infrastructure items on August 12, 2025. All seven commissioners were present. Major actions included approval of the 2026-2031 Capital Improvement Program (with technical revisions), a one-year NMCAA housing rehab contract extension, multiple vehicle and equipment purchases, and several 2% allocation grants from the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.
Public Comments
During agenda-specific public comment, James White and Susan Quinlan spoke in person; no specific concerns were detailed in the minutes. Later in the meeting, Steve Mikowski, Tim McCalley, Bill Wiesner, and Gary Hosking spoke in person, and written comments were also submitted and made available via the county's agenda link, though their content was not summarized in the minutes. Commissioner Bunek noted he had brought Leelanau Enterprise articles regarding Inland Seas funding and the Leelanau Conservancy's acquisition of Sugar Loaf, observing that conservancy acquisitions remove property from the tax base.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
The Board approved, 6-1 (Campbell opposed), a one-year contract extension with the Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency (NMCAA) for housing rehabilitation services, pending review by Corporate Counsel.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The Board approved (7-0) demolition of pit toilets at Myles Kimmerly and Old Settler's Park, waiving bid policy to contract with Kal-Excavating ($7,500) and Novak Masonry for concrete slabs (not to exceed $2,970), charged to account #101.850.756.775.000. Commissioner Campbell questioned whether the Parks & Recreation Commission had actually voted to recommend the specific contractor, finding only discussion in past minutes. Administrator Dyer explained this was a "housekeeping" action to formalize prior informal authorization by former Administrator Richard Lewis.
Infrastructure Projects
The Board approved (7-0) awarding the Leland Dam triennial inspection to Spicer Group, not to exceed $13,000, funded via General Fund transfer to account #805.000.000.801.000. The Board also authorized (7-0) release of an RFP for engineering services and project management to replace the Government Center cooling tower and Law Enforcement Center humidification system.
Other Business
The Board approved a Sheriff's Office Secondary Road Patrol grant application (7-0); accepted an anonymous $10,000 donation to the Sheriff's Office (7-0); approved purchase of two Mercury 150XL motors and sale of an existing motor for Marine Division boat M-2, not to exceed $26,000 (6-1, Bunek opposed); approved motor pool upfitting for Sheriff's vehicles not to exceed $34,200 (7-0); approved purchase of Lunghamer Ford vehicles not to exceed $180,929, rescinding a February 18, 2025 motion (7-0); tabled a Sheriff's Office Manager job reclassification until budget session (7-0); approved job description updates for four positions (7-0); approved Scott Robinson's MERS service credit purchase (~$98,560, employee-paid) (7-0); approved a Building Safety contract-inspector arrangement (7-0); approved a one-year Spinniken Lawn Care extension (7-0); approved renaming Facilities Maintenance to Facilities Engineering (4-3, Bunek/Campbell/Yoder opposed) after extended debate between Commissioner Bunek and Facilities Director Roach; authorized an IT RFP for network support services (7-0); approved purchase of TimeClock Plus v7/ESS software not to exceed $20,000 (6-1, Robbins opposed); referred MSU Extension bulletin board and MIOSHA inspection issues to the Building & Grounds Committee (6-1, Bunek opposed); and held an Opioid Fund discussion, with consensus to schedule a presentation at the September 9, 2025 Executive Session.
Financial Summary
Key approvals included: $10,000 anonymous donation to Sheriff's Office; $26,000 (not to exceed) for marine motors from General Fund contingency; $34,200 for motor pool upfitting (Fund #661); $180,929 for four vehicles (Fund #661); $7,500 plus $2,970 for park pit-toilet demolition/concrete; $98,560 MERS service credit purchase (employee-paid); $20,000 for TimeClock software (IT Capital Outlay); $13,000 for Leland Dam inspection (General Fund transfer). 2% allocations approved: $15,000 to Inland Seas Education Association (5-2, Bunek/Walter opposed), $5,000 to Safe Haven (7-0), and $18,000 to Probate and Family Court for a bike trailer/bikes/helmets (7-0). Contracts to disburse Safe Haven and Inland Seas funds were approved 6-1 (Bunek opposed). Claims and Accounts of $495,609.97 were approved (7-0), and Post Audit Claims and Accounts of $2,583,906.93 were approved (7-0). The 2026 Proposed Budget books were distributed, and a chart-of-accounts conversion was announced for the following week.
Action Items
Opioid Fund presentation scheduled for the September 9, 2025 Executive Session per Board consensus. The Sheriff's Office Office Manager reclassification was tabled to be addressed during the budget process rather than as a standalone action. Commissioner Campbell requested an agenda item be added to the August 19, 2025 Regular Session regarding release of a legal opinion on a conflict of interest matter, following questions he received at a Leland Township meeting; this remains a matter to be addressed by the Board.