12/10/2024 - Leelanau County | Special Session Minutes

Summary

The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners held a special session on December 10, 2024, primarily to discuss the participation of Commissioners-Elect in the County Administrator candidate interviews scheduled for December 12, 2024. A consensus was reached to allow the Commissioners-Elect to partake in the interview process by asking questions and providing their opinions on the candidates. A straw poll will be conducted to gauge their preferences, though the official decision will rest with the sitting commissioners. The meeting concluded with plans for further discussions and arrangements for the upcoming interviews.

Public Comments

No public comments were made during the designated public comment period. Two individuals, Rick Robbins and Alan Campbell, spoke at the end of the meeting, but their comments were not detailed.

Infrastructure Projects

The discussion primarily revolved around the process of interviewing County Administrator candidates. MLI Consultant Chet Janik provided insights on the interview scheduling and the legalities of involving Commissioners-Elect in the process. There were deliberations about how to set up the seating arrangement to facilitate a better interaction between the candidates and the Commissioners-Elect.

Other Business

The meeting included a discussion about contract negotiations for the selected County Administrator, stipulating that only one-year contracts are permissible at this stage, but that a three-year contract could be considered next year. MLI Consultant Janik confirmed he has discussed contract terms with each candidate in advance, minimizing potential issues ahead.

Action Items

- Interim Administrator Lewis is tasked with arranging the seating for the interviews to ensure Commissioners-Elect can effectively engage with the candidates. - Commissioner Rexroat and Interim Administrator Lewis will work with MLI Consultant Janik on the contract negotiations related to the chosen candidate. - Commissioners-Elect will submit their top candidate choices to Interim Administrator Lewis to facilitate a straw poll prior to the Board's deliberations.