Benzie County

The study session included procedural items such as approving the agenda and approving minutes from a prior meeting. The main discussion focused on exploring a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Homestretch Nonprofit Housing Corporation for housing expansion, specifically the Crystal Common development in Thompsonville. Key constraints discussed included the high cost of extending the county water main, leading to a proposal for an initial phase of eight housing units served by a private well and septic system to manage costs. Discussions also covered the potential partnership with the county to house an ALS ambulance facility within the development, and the need to secure funding through grants like CDBG and Federal Home Loan Bank AHP. The timeline for submitting the non-binding LOI was noted as being between February 4th and March 4th.

The meeting began with the board calling the study session to order, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The agenda was approved as presented, and the minutes from the November 12 meeting were also approved. Key discussion points included an HR update detailing new employee roles, such as the new Maintenance Manager and IT Support Specialist, and addressing current job vacancies, particularly the Animal Control Officer position. A significant portion of the session was dedicated to the review of the Emergency Operations Plans, which encompassed a 300-page base plan developed over two to three years involving input from local planning teams and subject matter experts. Discussions arose regarding the required privacy for HR conversations and the logistics of the HR office location. Furthermore, the presentation on the Emergency Operations Plan detailed its basis in Public Act 390, its progression from civil defense procedures, and the requirement for county-wide planning, referencing past actions like the 1977 resolution. Future plans include a comprehensive presentation in January covering the role of Emergency Management and its direct reporting structure to the board chair.

The meeting commenced with a call to order and roll call, confirming a quorum. Key discussions centered on the agenda, which was approved, and the subsequent approval of the previous meeting's minutes. A major topic involved discussion and distribution of documents comparing Benzie County's millages against comparable Michigan counties, noting that Benzie County's total millage requests are towards the bottom compared to others, despite a question regarding its position as a high-milled county. Discussions also covered inflation rate multipliers used in tax cap formulas and rollback fractions, as well as taxable values per county, noting a significant decrease in taxable value for Crawford County. Furthermore, a significant portion of the meeting focused on the inability of Benzie County to levy occupancy taxes from short-term rentals (like Airbnbs) due to state statute limitations, noting that these funds currently go to the local Convention and Visitors Bureau. Members debated potential solutions, including proposing a separate Public Safety millage to cover SRO, TNT, jail, and sheriff's office expenses, thereby allowing the general operating millage to be renewed without an increase, and providing funds for central dispatch relief and investment in parks and recreation. Long-term considerations included potential future needs for building department consolidation and IT expansion for cybersecurity.

The study session focused on reviewing the strategic plan goals and 2025 achievements. Key infrastructure and facilities accomplishments included investing $19,000 in a phase 2 lighting project, bringing the total campus lighting investment to nearly $40,000, and replacing the final heating and cooling unit on the government center ($70,000). A critical safety upgrade involved investing funds to update the fire monitoring system in the building to immediately notify dispatch. Campus maintenance was supported by a $10,000 grant used to purchase snow removal equipment. Public safety and emergency services updates covered the adoption of the amended Emergency Operations Plan, authorizing a Memorandum of Agreement with the Michigan State Police for computer-aided dispatch and a detachment post, approving advanced life support mutual aid agreements, and investing $165,000 in radio encryption upgrades. Community and environment items included updating the regional materials management plan, awarding contracts for household hazardous waste collection, committing $30,000 to the Benzy Area Conservation District for a countywide zoning map, and securing a $15,000 grant for drug education materials. Administrative and fiscal governance achievements included formally adopting strategic priorities in August 2025, approving salary adjustments for key elected officials and department heads, successfully managing the 2025-2026 budget process, allocating opioid funding (e.g., $50,000 for community mental health treatment), and successfully completing collective bargaining for six units with four-year contracts. The Board also discussed the repair and improvement of the campus elevator to achieve state compliance.

The meeting, identified as a Study Session, focused on reviewing and discussing the County's Strategic Plan priorities, goals, and action items from 2023. Key priorities discussed included Infrastructure and Space Needs, Fiscal Health and Responsibility, Enhanced County Services, Public Spaces and Public Lands, and Economic Development Activities. Discussions revolved around refining the language of the goals, particularly shifting the focus of 'Infrastructure and Space Needs' from purely internal county operations to broader countywide infrastructure and ensuring constituent education regarding opposing viewpoints. The HR update covered ongoing recruitment efforts for paramedics/EMTs and Communication Specialists, the hiring of a new Animal Control Officer, and promotions within the department. A significant item was the upcoming Priority Health Lunch and Learn scheduled for January 30th, providing employees an opportunity to discuss benefit details. The timeline for W2 distribution was also noted, set for the last week of January.