Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners Building Safety Committee met June 23, 2025, with Commissioners Will Bunek and Steve Yoder present. County Clerk Michelle L. Crocker opened the meeting; Bunek was elected Committee Chairman. The committee addressed a vehicle purchase request, a new employee's request to take a county vehicle home, and a Board-requested discussion on affordable housing and permit fees. No formal Board action was taken on permit fee changes; the committee reached consensus on next steps for both the vehicle policy and permit fee review.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
Commissioner Yoder said the full Board wants an outline of permit fees to consider possible reductions tied to affordable housing, though he noted fees alone likely won't be a "game changer." Administrator Jim Dyer noted developers had cited regulatory costs (including sewer connection fees) near $50,000 for affordable housing projects and suggested compiling non-County fees (Health Department, Soil Erosion) for informational purposes.
Commissioner Bunek proposed capping building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permit fees at a maximum of $1,000 for homes 900 square feet or less (currently running $1,500–$1,700), as the County's contribution toward affordable housing. Building Official Amber Weber said this would not reduce required inspections and agreed to prepare a sample fee breakdown and data on how many homes are built under 999 square feet. Dyer suggested the Building Safety Department could draw reduced-fee differences from a separate fund rather than absorb losses, and cautioned that small homes aren't always "affordable" long-term; he favored incentives for developers committing to long-term affordable housing (e.g., community land trusts). Yoder said townships should also be held accountable for lowering their own fees; Dyer said he could ask the Planning Department to survey township land use fees. Weber said she contacted other counties for advice and was told the County should set clear affordability standards. Consensus: Weber will create a permit fee chart for Board review.
Public Comments
No public comments were made during either public comment period.
Other Business
Vehicle purchase: Weber requested authority to replace two aging 2022 Ford Ranger trucks with 2026 Toyota Tacomas as part of the 2026 budget. After discussion, the committee limited the recommendation to one vehicle. Motion by Yoder, seconded by Bunek, to recommend the full Board approve Weber pursuing purchase of one vehicle through the 2026 budget process; Ayes 2 (Yoder, Bunek), motion carried.
Vehicle take-home request: Weber described a new part-time inspector who lives in Wayland/Mancelona and requested taking a county vehicle home three days a week, offering to forfeit his health insurance buyout in exchange. Chief Deputy Jennifer Zywicki explained personal vehicle use creates FICA/benefit implications and that further investigation was needed. Bunek noted the county's $0.70/mile rate is far below the cost shown in Weber's handout (based on Grand Traverse County's policy) and raised liability/insurance concerns. Dyer suggested a car allowance (e.g., ~$200/month lease) might be a simpler solution, similar to his own arrangement, and noted the situation highlights the County's broader housing/recruitment challenges. Consensus: Weber will gather vehicle policies from surrounding counties and work with Administration and Finance to propose a Building Safety Department vehicle policy for a future meeting, possibly in July.
Other items: The committee approved the agenda as written and approved minutes from July 11, 2023 (both motions by Yoder, seconded by Bunek, 2-0). Weber also answered questions from Bunek regarding enforcement of occupancy permits.
Financial Summary
Vehicle purchases would be funded through the Building Safety Department's own fund (from permit fee revenues), not the County Motor Pool Fund. Current county mileage reimbursement is $0.70 per mile. Bunek's proposed permit fee cap would set fees at $1,000 or less for homes 900 sq ft or under, compared to typical fees of $1,500–$1,700. Dyer cited developer estimates of roughly $50,000 in regulatory/building costs for affordable housing projects, including sewer connection fees.
Action Items
- Building Official Amber Weber to gather vehicle take-home/personal-use policies from surrounding counties and work with Administration and Finance to draft a Building Safety Department vehicle policy.
- Weber to prepare data on the number of homes built under 999 square feet and a sample permit fee breakdown for review.
- Weber to create a full permit fee chart, including non-County fees (Health Department, Soil Erosion), for Board of Commissioners review.
- Administrator Jim Dyer to ask the Planning Department to survey township land use fees.
- Item to be scheduled for a future meeting, potentially July, regarding the vehicle use policy.