Summary
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners met June 17, 2025, with Vice-Chairman Ty Wessell presiding in the absence of Chairman Steve Yoder. The Board approved a lengthy consent agenda covering insurance, contracts, grants, and personnel items, approved a $120,796.93 dispatch console remodeling contract, ratified Chairman Yoder's emergency out-of-state travel, and approved a $3,000/month appropriation to the United We Smile dental program pending a contract. Financial reports, claims, and fund transfers were also approved.
Public Comments
During agenda-specific comment, Tim Dowd, Deon Vaughn, and Stephen Mikowski spoke; written comments were also submitted and are available via the county's agenda portal. During general public comment, Jennifer Kern (who also submitted a handout), Don Spinniken, Stephen Mikowski, David Kiessel, and Rolf von Walthausen spoke. No specific responses or resolutions to these comments were recorded in the minutes.
Other Business
The Board approved (via consent agenda) a Workers' Compensation renewal with Accident Fund National/Highstreet Insurance for $46,763.00; a one-year animal control contract extension with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (Oct. 1, 2025–Sept. 30, 2026); authorization for the Sheriff's Office to hire a third MCOLES-employed recruit; the FY2025-2026 Child Care Fund budget of $855,880.00; acceptance of the EGLE Scrap Tire Cleanup Grant; submission/acceptance of an EGLE Materials Management Plan grant of $81,150.50 (no match required); Resolution #2025-010 authorizing Jennifer L. Zywicki to purchase one year of MERS service credit (~$27,437.00, employee-paid); Customer Service Training with NMC not to exceed $2,400.00; updates to five job descriptions; adoption of the PillarRx pharmacy plan amendment to the BCBS plan; and purchase of two printers (not to exceed $11,466.00). The Board also approved the sale of retired K-9 Klouse to a private owner for $1.00, and accepted a $24,550.00 Marine Safety Program grant from the Michigan DNR. Commissioner Campbell noted he still had not received a promised Attorney's Opinion from a prior meeting; Administrator Dyer agreed to send it.
Financial Summary
Approved claims and accounts totaled $286,991.77; post-audit claims and accounts totaled $5,327,897.45. FY2025 Budget Amendment #25-008 and Fund Transfer #25-004 were approved. The dispatch console project ($120,796.93, capped at $145,000.00) will be funded $59,545.19 from the Grand Traverse Band Gaming Revenue Fund #261, with the remainder from the Delinquent Tax Revolving Fund #516 transferred to the Capital Building Fund #470. United We Smile funding (up to $3,000/month) will come from the Early Childhood Education Millage Fund. Discussion also covered the FY budget calendar, with no final schedule adopted.
Action Items
Administration is to research use of Early Childhood Education millage funds for childcare vouchers (ages 0-6) and prenatal care, reporting back at the July Executive Board meeting. A contract for the United We Smile appropriation is to be drafted by Cohl Stoker & Toskey and returned to the Board in July. Commissioner Campbell's disagreement with Jennifer Kern over millage language and program funding for United We Smile remains unresolved. Administrator Dyer is to send Commissioner Campbell the previously promised Attorney's Opinion, including the full original email.