Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners held a regular session on September 17, 2024. Key outcomes included the approval of minutes, the agenda, and several motions regarding various county matters, including budget proposals and contract extensions. Notable discussions centered on salary adjustments for chief deputy positions and the introduction of the FY2025 budget.Public Comments
No public comments were made in person during the meeting. However, written comments were received, which can be accessed through the provided link.Affordable Housing Initiatives
No discussions regarding affordable housing initiatives were noted in the minutes.Parks and Recreation Matters
Commissioner Ross emphasized the importance of a parks survey, encouraging community engagement to maximize the benefits of the limited budget allocated for parks and recreation improvements.Infrastructure Projects
Administrator Richard I. Lewis provided updates on several infrastructure-related topics, including the ongoing bids for the Dam Boardwalk project and the Leelanau Township Communication Tower. He mentioned that work should commence soon on these projects.Other Business
Several consent agenda items were approved without controversy, including agreements for inmate housing, early hiring of corrections officers, and budget amendments for the Child Care Fund. Additionally, public hearings were set for a termination of the West Bay / West Shore brownfield plan.Financial Summary
Key financial items included: - Approval of claims totaling $338,683.85 and post-audit claims of $7,671,535.22. - A MIDC Grant Acceptance for FY 2025, with a total authorized budget of $369,376.60, funded by a state grant contribution and local share. - An auditing services agreement extension was accepted for $84,000 for the year ended December 31, 2024.Action Items
- Approval to adjust the salary schedules for the Chief Deputy Treasurer and Chief Deputy Register of Deeds, leading to concerns and discussions among commissioners about wage equity and justification for raises. - A joint meeting was scheduled with Grand Traverse County regarding the NRAA Terminal Expansion. - The first budget meeting is to occur next week, focusing on a general overview and various budget requests. Commissioners were encouraged to notify the administrator regarding their availability for budget discussions.Overall, the meeting addressed critical administrative functions and budget considerations vital to the County's operations, while also acknowledging community engagement in parks affairs. Salary adjustments continue to be a contentious topic among board members.