Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners met June 10, 2025, with Chairman Steve Yoder presiding. The Board approved the agenda 6-0 (Robbins absent, arrived 9:34 a.m.) and acted on numerous administrative, financial, and personnel items, most passing unanimously 7-0. A lengthy and contentious discussion arose over Administrator Jim Dyer's candidacy for the Cherryland Electric Board.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
Commissioner Campbell asked whether a Building Safety Committee meeting had been scheduled to discuss building fees for low-income housing, a request he first made the prior month. Chairman Yoder said he was not aware of one being scheduled. Later, Commissioner Bunek confirmed no formal Board action is required to convene the committee, and Administrator Dyer said the meeting remains on his to-do list.
Infrastructure Projects
Administrator Dyer updated the Board on the Point Broadband cabinet completion project and the Leland Dam walkway gate. Commissioner Allgaier noted the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office's BEAD Program meeting (June 13) and said she hoped additional broadband funding would be available for underserved residents; she will report back.
Public Comments
Morning public comment included Deb Koon, Nancy Korbel, Donna Deboer, Scott Richards (not agenda-specific), and Steve Mikowski (not agenda-specific). Afternoon public comment included Steve Mikowski, David Mosher (written comment handed out by Peggy Zemanek), Bill Wiesner, Dana Getsinger, and Kathy Dawkins. Written comments were also submitted and posted online; specific content was not detailed in the minutes. Commissioner Wessell thanked parents who spoke regarding program cuts, calling "reckless dismantling of programs" concerning; Commissioner Allgaier echoed support for fair taxation.
Other Business
The Board approved: researching Early Childhood Education millage use for childcare vouchers (ages 0-6) and prenatal care, with a report due in July (7-0); a $3,000/month appropriation to the United We Smile program using Early Childhood millage funds (7-0); workers' compensation renewal with Accident Fund National/Highstreet Insurance for $46,763 (7-0); a one-year animal control contract extension with the Grand Traverse Band (7-0); hiring a third MCOLES employed recruit (7-0); the Xybix dispatch console remodeling project not to exceed $145,000, which Campbell asked to have refined at Regular Session regarding funding source (7-0); the FY2025-26 Child Care Fund budget of $855,880 (7-0); the EGLE Scrap Tire Grant (7-0); the MMP grant of $81,150.50 with no match required (7-0); MERS service credit purchase of approximately $27,437 for Jennifer L. Zywicki (7-0); customer service training not to exceed $2,400 (7-0); updated job descriptions for five positions (7-0); adoption of the PillarRx plan amendment to BCBS (7-0); and printer purchases not to exceed $11,466 (7-0).
Financial Summary
Claims and accounts totaling $211,634.60 were approved (7-0), along with post-audit claims and accounts of $5,327,897.45 (7-0). Several appropriations above were funded from specific accounts, including the Capital Projects Building Fund, Duplicating Machine Fund, and Early Childhood Education millage.
Action Items
Administrator Dyer is to schedule individual meetings with each commissioner on the budget process and present a compiled report in July. A significant, unresolved conflict emerged regarding Dyer's candidacy for the Cherryland Electric Board: Commissioner Campbell argued this may violate Dyer's exclusive-employment contract clause; Commissioners Allgaier, Wessell, Robbins, and Walter expressed support for Dyer; Chairman Yoder cited a legal opinion finding no conflict and agreed to share it with the full Board. No Building Safety Committee meeting on low-income housing fees has yet been scheduled.