County administrator defends $9,000 leadership workshop; commissioners debate process and future training budget

Lapeer County administrators asked the Board of Commissioners on May 23 to authorize payment of $9,000 to Dion Leadership LLC for a full-day leadership workshop aimed at department heads and elected officials, and also proposed a standing county training line item of $20,000 per year for future management training.

The administrator told commissioners the contract had a 14‑day no‑refund clause for the trainer fees and that, because the vendor would not waive that policy, staff brought the $9,000 request forward rather than risk forfeiting the fee. “They said no. They can't waive it because their trainers are, sole, like, proprietors,” the administrator said, explaining why staff moved quickly to secure the session.

Why it matters: the proposal is pitched as an investment in managerial skills—communication, delegation and accountability—that county leaders say should reduce turnover, improve cross‑department communication and increase operational efficiency. The first session was scheduled for June 25; the contract includes a cap of 30 participants, which the administrator said equates to about $300 per person.

The request prompted debate. Commissioner Hagedorn said she was initially a “no” vote because the item came at the last minute and she objected to how the matter was handled. The administrator said employee surveys showed barriers to asking questions and poor interdepartmental communication—findings staff used to justify training. Commissioner Kemp said budget‑level decisions about an annual $20,000 training line belong in the county’s budget hearings and criticized bringing that broader proposal during the motions session. Other commissioners said centralized local training could be more economical than sending many staff to off‑site conferences.

Board discussion also addressed how much existing travel and training expenditures could be reduced by holding county‑wide sessions and noted that some department training is mandated or grant‑funded and would not be affected. The administrator said the $9,000 workshop was negotiated down from typical quotes of $13,000–$14,000 and that the county’s requested two sessions per year would be scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2025 and the second quarter of 2026 if the $20,000 line is approved in next year’s budget.

The board voted on the motion to authorize payment of $9,000 and for the finance department to process a related budget amendment; commissioners debated and expressed reservations, but the motion was recorded as carried.

Ending: Commissioners asked staff to provide clearer budget proposals during the normal budget process for any recurring training fund, and some members said they want stricter advance notice before contracting where nonrefundable fees are involved.