Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners met December 17, 2024, in Regular Session at the Government Center in Suttons Bay, Chairman Ty Wessell presiding. The Board approved prior minutes, amended the agenda to add the County Administrator Agreement, approved a large consent agenda covering insurance, wage, and appointment items, approved the new County Administrator employment agreement, several finance agreements, and the 2025-2029 Five-Year Community Parks and Recreation Plan. This was the final meeting for several outgoing commissioners, who offered farewell remarks.
Public Comments
During agenda-specific public comment, Alan Campbell spoke in person; no details of his remarks or any board response were recorded. During general Public Comment later in the meeting, Chet Janik, Heather Duran, Steve Mikowski, and Steve Yoder spoke in person; the minutes note only that they spoke, without summarizing content. Commissioner Lautner separately thanked Janik for his remarks, noting his hiring as County Administrator was a highlight of her tenure. No written or letter comments were noted as submitted.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The Board voted 6-0 (Rexroat, Ross, Wessell, Allgaier, Lautner, O'Rourke) to approve the final draft of the 2025-2029 Leelanau County Five-Year Community Parks and Recreation Plan, on a motion by Rexroat, seconded by Ross. The consent agenda also included Parks & Recreation Commission appointments: reappointment of Charles Godbout and Keith Beduhn (three-year terms expiring December 31, 2027), appointment of Mel Black as the Road Commission representative, appointment of Rebecca Benedict (partial term expiring December 31, 2027), and appointment of Jim Carpenter (partial term expiring December 31, 2026).
Infrastructure Projects
Interim Administrator Lewis updated the Board on the Leelanau Township Tower project. The Board approved (via consent agenda) an amendment to the Progressive AE professional-services agreement for the Tower Project, increasing the not-to-exceed amount from $5,300.00 to $7,800.00, funded from account #101.100.101.967.000, with the County Administrator authorized to execute it. Point Broadband representatives Chris Scharrer and Nick Diponzio provided a construction-progress update on countywide broadband internet installation and answered Commissioner questions.
Other Business
C&M Insurance Agent Lew Wolters discussed changing the health plan's prescription tier structure to a five-tier BCBS system, with a contract expected for signature in January 2025. The Board approved (5-1, Lautner opposed) the BLDHD Early Childhood Services agreement (Jan. 1, 2025–Dec. 31, 2030, Fund #280). The Board approved a contract extension with Solutions For You, LLC (6-0), upheld Brownfield Authority Resolution #08-026 directing repayment to the County in equal installments over three years beginning 2025 (6-0), approved a Veterans Affairs agreement with Grand Traverse County ($56,618.00 annually, 2025-2030, 6-0), and approved (5-1, O'Rourke opposed) partnering with the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department on a Marijuana Operation and Oversight Grant application for lockboxes and safe-storage education. Newly appointed Health Officer Daniel Thorell was introduced. Numerous board/commission appointments were approved via consent agenda (Health Board, Environmental Health Appeals, Brownfield Authority, Construction Board of Appeals, Leland Dam Authority, Planning Commission, Soil Erosion BOA, Solid Waste Council, Veterans Affairs Committee).
Financial Summary
Consent agenda financial items included: MMRMA coverage renewal (Jan. 21, 2025–Jan. 1, 2026) for $258,480.00 from account #101.830.871.954.000; MSU Extension agreement for $141,730.00 (2025) from account #101.615.257.801.000; Netlink printer/copier maintenance renewal not to exceed $19,529.40; and a 2025 non-union wage schedule reflecting a 3% increase. The Board approved Budget Amendments #2024-016, #2024-017, and #2024-018, and Fund Transfer #2024-007 (all 6-0). Claims and Accounts were approved in the amount of $415,802.57, and Post Audit Claims and Accounts in the amount of $4,099,340.40 (both 6-0).
Action Items
An end-of-year Special Session was scheduled for December 30, 2024. C&M Insurance Agent Lew Wolters is to return in January 2025 to request signature of the BCBS contract for the 2025 benefit year. The Finance Director is authorized to make year-end budget adjustments/transfers within the General Fund, not to exceed contingency funds. The Drain Commissioner is to take steps to finalize relinquishment of the Brewery Creek Drain to Elmwood Charter Township pending that township's approval.