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Leelanau County commissioners lay out 2026 priorities: jail space, staffing, technology and housing among top items
Summary
During the Jan. 6 organizational session commissioners presented their 2026 goals, highlighting concerns about the county jail space, government-center maintenance, staff recruitment and retention, a salary study, accounting and policy software, and housing initiatives. Committee assignments for the year were also approved.
At the Leelanau County Board’s Jan. 6 organizational session each commissioner outlined priorities for 2026, with recurring themes around the county jail, facilities maintenance, staffing and technology.
Commissioner Rick Robbins listed goals including attention to the Leelanau County Jail, a pole barn on county property, a human-resources resolution and budget transparency. "We are not the focal point here; it is the 130 people who work here," Robbins said, thanking staff for work over the holidays.
Commissioner Mark Walter listed the jail and drainage-district costs among his priorities. Commissioner William Bunek emphasized facilities budgeting, a new radio tower and Leland Dam repairs. Commissioner Ty Wessell prioritized government-center infrastructure, a technology-security audit and staff recruitment and retention. Commissioner Alan Campbell emphasized budget procedure and improved communication among commissioners. Commissioner Gwenne Allgaier listed a salary study, housing, completion of the HR transition and securing a grant writer. Chairman Steve Yoder emphasized a fully staffed finance department, policy review and strategic planning.
The board also approved committee and authority appointments for 2026, assigning commissioners to local boards including the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, Parks and Recreation Commission, Planning Commission and others. The assignments were accepted unanimously.
Commissioners asked for follow-up items to be scheduled on future agendas, such as a Drain Commissioner update and specific implementation steps for HR and software projects.
