Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners Executive Session, chaired by Steve Yoder, convened December 9, 2025 with all seven commissioners present. The board approved multiple Sheriff's Office, Emergency Management, Finance, and Administration items, engaged in extended debate over fleet vehicle leasing versus purchasing, deferred action on selling county property near Old Settler's Park, and tabled a proposal to adjust the County Prosecutor's salary.
Public Comments
Steve Mikowski spoke in person during the general public comment period; no summary of his remarks was recorded in the minutes. Written comments were also submitted and are available via a linked county agenda page, but their content was not detailed in the minutes. No agenda-specific public comment was made earlier in the meeting.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Administrator Jim Dyer presented proposed revisions to the 2018 Poor Barn Lease Agreement with the Leelanau County Historic Preservation Society. After discussion, Commissioner Allgaier's motion was amended so that the County Administrator would negotiate the lease modification subject to legal counsel approval, with the matter returning to the board for final signature authorization. The amended motion passed 6-1 (Bunek opposed).
Infrastructure Projects
Emergency Management Director Matthew Ansorge presented a land lease agreement with the Leelanau County Road Commission to store materials for a communication tower purchased through Midway Electronics; the motion, authorizing the Chairperson to sign pending legal approval, passed 7-0. Separately, the board approved closing out the Midway Electronics contract, allocating $90,000 from the Delinquent Tax Revolving Fund #516 to the Communications Capital Project Fund #468 to pay invoice #56216 and delivery costs (7-0). Commissioner Bunek suggested the County should exit the tower business given past difficulties, and Chairman Yoder said future tower purchases should require prior board approval.
Other Business
The board approved appointing Madison Doucette as non-attorney magistrate for the 86th District Court (7-0); authorized the Sheriff's Office to hire up to two employed recruits and enter the MCOLES/NMC police academy grant process (7-0); approved an inmate boarding agreement with Grand Traverse County (7-0); approved purchase of PowerDMS policy software not to exceed $31,000 over three years (5-2, Bunek and Walter opposed); added a new Office Manager position to the Teamsters contract (6-1, Bunek opposed); and removed a Juvenile Probation Officer/Diversion Counselor job description update from the agenda (7-0). A late addition authorized purchase of 45 pairs of safety glasses for the Emergency Response Team, not to exceed $2,452.50 (7-0). Tuition reimbursement for employee Julie Lautner was approved per union contract terms (7-0). The board approved a revised Interlocal Agreement for medical examiner services with Grand Traverse County (7-0), declared a jail kitchen stand mixer as surplus (7-0), and moved Boards and Commissions Appointments to the December 16 regular session (7-0). A Vehicle Take Home Procedure discussion was deferred to January 2026. An ad hoc Conflict of Interest and Complaint Policy Committee was created, comprised of Commissioner Campbell, Chairman Yoder, and Administrator Dyer (7-0). Consensus was reached to have Administrator Dyer recognize employee anniversaries during Administrator updates. Commissioner Robbins noted two more Habitat for Humanity homes were dedicated at the New Waves site.
Financial Summary
The board approved audit services with Clark, Schaefer, Hackett for 2025-2028, first-year cost not to exceed $70,000, funded from account #101.830.207.801.000 (7-0). Year-end budget adjustments/transfers to avoid general fund deficits were authorized, limited to contingency funds and requiring Administrator signature (7-0). Claims and accounts of $259,265.39 and post-audit claims and accounts of $3,017,686.56 were both approved 7-0. A proposed $15,000 sale of a .94-acre county parcel near Old Settler's Park was discussed; Commissioner Bunek offered $20,000 for the property, but the board reached consensus to take no action at this time.
Action Items
Administrator Dyer will provide the board with reports on outside agency contracts, including Opioid funds. The Vehicle Take Home Procedure/Policy returns to the January 2026 meeting with Building Official Amber Weber present. The newly formed Conflict of Interest and Complaint Policy Committee (Campbell, Yoder, Dyer) will develop recommendations. A motion to adjust the County Prosecutor's salary was withdrawn by Commissioner Wessell after discussion; Commissioner Robbins proposed revisiting elected official/deputy compensation during the 2027 budget process, with budget discussions starting earlier (e.g., March). The County Administrator was authorized to negotiate a managed fleet leasing contract with Enterprise Fleet, contingent on first-year costs not exceeding the 2026 vehicle acquisition budget allocation and terms being financially equivalent or better than cash purchase; this will return for future review and approval.