Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners met May 19, 2026, with all seven commissioners present. The board approved prior meeting minutes, amended the agenda to move a public policy discussion out of closed session, heard a cooling tower/HVAC update from Spicer Group, approved several financial and policy items, and held closed session discussion on administrative settlement authority, ultimately tabling that resolution until the June Executive Session.
Public Comments
Under the 1-minute General County Concern period, Lois Bahle and Deb Koon spoke. Michael Awrey spoke under the 3-minute Agenda Specific period. Later in the meeting, public comment was moved up ahead of closed session; Jim White, Steve Mikowski, and Bill Wiesner spoke. Written comments were submitted for both sessions and are available via the linked agenda packet, though their content is not detailed in the minutes.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Chairman Yoder confirmed no conflict of interest for Commissioner Campbell voting on the Parks & Recreation fish pond purchase, though Administrator Dyer noted Campbell must still abstain per a prior Executive Session motion. The board voted 6-1 (Bunek opposed) to continue a partnership with Laurel Voran, LLC for care of the endangered Michigan Monkey Flower habitat at Old Settler’s Park for the 2026 season, $1,300, funded from the Repairs and Maintenance account. The board also voted 7-0 to approve purchasing fish from Laggis Fish Farms to restock ponds at Veronica Valley County Park for Kids Fishing Day, not to exceed $8,566.00, funded from account #101.850.756.727.000.
Infrastructure Projects
Spicer Group’s Aaron Wosek, joined by Facilities Director Patrick Roach, presented a cooling tower/HVAC update. Commissioners reached consensus directing Administrator Dyer to schedule a head pressure calculation test by Integrity Test and Balance, as recommended by Spicer Group. The board also authorized Emergency Management Director Matt Ansorge to negotiate changing tower lease terms from 15 to up to 30 years, and approved the First Amendment to the Verizon Wireless tower lease at the Central Tower site.
Other Business
The board approved the FY27 Community Corrections grant application and Resolution #2026-011 ($316,501.25), a LiveScan unit purchase ($5,280.00, funding TBD), a Prosecutor’s Office contract extension through September 30, 2027, the 2026 Remonumentation Grant ($30,667.00), and an RFP for opioid settlement fund management. Policy updates were approved: Grants Policy 8.03 (6-1, Campbell opposed), Fund Balance Policy 7.02 as presented (7-0, after a Bunek amendment failed for lack of second), Financial Depository Policy 7.03 (7-0), and Investment Policy 7.04 (7-0). An RFP for employee health/benefits consultant services passed 5-2 (Bunek, Campbell opposed). The Civil Infraction Bureau item was moved to the Building Safety Committee by consensus. Regarding the Varley Property/Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, the board reached consensus to have Legal Counsel review the 2008 Resolution. In closed session, the board voted 7-0 to accept litigation counsel’s advice on the Joni Flaska special legal services matter and voted 7-0 to ratify three separation agreements dated between 2/27/2025 and 5/8/2026. A resolution on Administrative Settlement Authority was tabled 7-0 until the Executive Session, following extended debate among Campbell, Allgaier, Wessell, Robbins, and Walter over administrator/legal counsel approval authority for settlements.
Financial Summary
The board approved the L-4029 millage rate at the maximum allowable 3.2002 for county operations (7-0). Commissioner Campbell’s motion, amended at Chairman Yoder’s request, allocated $400,000.00 in the 2027 budget to contingency (7-0). Claims and Accounts were approved at $250,941.82, and Post Audit Claims and Accounts at $3,376,479.68 (both 7-0). Fund Transfer #26-002 was also approved (7-0).
Action Items
Administrator Dyer to schedule a head pressure calculation test with Integrity Test and Balance. Administrator Dyer to seek Legal Counsel’s opinion on the 2008 Resolution concerning the Varley Property. The Administrative Settlement Authority resolution is to be finalized for a decision at the June Executive Session, with commissioners asked to submit desired changes to Administrator Dyer beforehand. The Civil Infraction Bureau matter is to be reviewed by the Building Safety Committee. Administrator Dyer continues finalizing holiday pay language with police and dispatch unions for Board consideration next month.