Summary
This packet for the Leelanau Township Board's March 11, 2025 meeting includes minutes from the January 14, February 11, and February 26, 2025 (budget workshop) meetings plus the draft 2025-26 budget. Key actions across these sessions included approving bills, re-appointing Parks and Recreation members, denying a facilities manager salary increase, approving the property tax poverty exemption resolution, and extensive budget workshop adjustments for the coming fiscal year.
Public Comments
Jan. 14: Dan Toole asked the board to keep a $100,000 allocation for Woolsey Airport repair. Jett Troph alleged over-taxation, cited court history, and threatened a federal complaint, also urging the board to seek other assessing firms. In second comment, Ann Harper called cell tower financials misleading and favored multifamily housing near the sewer district; Betsy noted DNR conversions require public input/appraisal; Gina Harder detailed cell tower funding ($100,000 ARPA, $150,000 Cherryland Electric, remainder from lease fees); Phyllis Rebori asked about township hours and the Woolsey sewer line.
Feb. 11: Eric Potes requested cameras/security funding at Braman Hill to curb vandalism. Anne Harper suggested hiring a grant writer. Mark Krueger asked about Omena Point road funding priorities. In second comment, Doug Whitley proposed a county resolution to raise road tax rates; Elizabeth Malek urged transparency and suggested 7th Street, not Bustrodame, for housing; Eric Potes agreed Bustrodame should remain parkland.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
Conley reported the Township owns Bustrodame Park but the Village controls zoning. Wilson proposed forming a group knowledgeable on low-income housing. Following a Feb. 11 DNR meeting, the board discussed designating a Northport 7th Street property for recreation while using Bustrodame for affordable housing, with joint Township/Village ownership. A joint Village/Township housing meeting is tentatively planned for April 9.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The board re-appointed Court Wengreen and Daniel Toole to the Parks and Recreation Committee for 3-year terms (5-0, Jan. 14). On Feb. 11, Schwind reported budget requests totaling $18,000 (mountain bike trail materials $10,000, skate park halfpipe $6,000, pickleball shade shelter $2,000), plus an AED for Peterson Park and $10,000+ for Woolsey terminal restoration. Park reservation agreement updates were tabled to March.
Infrastructure Projects
NLTUA passed a $738,741 budget (2/4). The planning commission denied a communication tower special use permit on Garthe/Kitchen Road; Gans requested $100,000 remain reserved for a cell tower project. Popp Excavating was paid $23,145.93 for the Woolsey Lake sewer project (5-0). Roads: Cherry Homes, Omena Point, and Firelane 6 were prioritized; $200,000 was budgeted for Omena Point Road (draft resolution to Road Commission, not to exceed $200,000 from the Facilities Fund); Cherry Homes repairs estimated at $1–8 million, with per-household assessment of roughly $3,000 discussed.
Other Business
Bills of $64,278.86 (Jan. 14) and $51,470.26 (Feb. 11) were approved. Assessor position advertising ($650 cap) was approved 5-0; interviews set for March 18. Summer tax collection agreements with Leland, Suttons Bay, and Northport schools passed 5-0. Township hall hours were set to 9:30-1:00 Monday-Thursday. A $1 million CD was rolled into Huntington for 3 months, yielding $21,250 interest. The RepUs constituent-engagement platform presentation will return in March.
Financial Summary
2025-26 requested General Fund appropriations total $1,168,075.78 against $996,550 in estimated revenue. All-funds appropriations are budgeted at $3,885,850.78 versus $3,037,766 in revenue. Facilities Manager salary resolution of $60,000 failed 4-1 (Wilson, Ugalde, Schwind, Gans against; Conley for). Clerk salary proposed at $62,000, Treasurer at $60,000, both with 3% trustee/supervisor increases. Cemetery building upgrades ($225,000), airport hangar repairs ($30,000), and a 10% fire chief salary increase were discussed at the Feb. 26 budget workshop, which passed budget amendments 5-0.
Action Items
Conley to reach out to the Road Commission on Cherry Homes/Omena Point funding. Assessor candidate interviews scheduled March 18. Deputy salary, park reservation agreements, and the 2024-25 budget amendment were tabled to March. Policy Manual sections to be reviewed section-by-section. Housing group formation (Wilson's suggestion) and joint housing meeting (tentatively April 9) remain pending, notably regarding Bustrodame Park's affordable housing designation.