Benzie County commissioners agree to delay appointment for vacant District VI seat after interviewing three candidates

The Benzie County Board of Commissioners met in special session on May 6, 2025, in the Frank Walterhouse Board of Commissioners Room in Beulah and by consensus postponed action on filling the vacant County Commissioner District VI seat until the board—s regular meeting on May 13, 2025.

Chair Art Jeannot suggested delaying the appointment, and the board "reached a consensus to wait until May 13, 2025, to make the appointment," according to the meeting record.

Before the interviews, Commissioner Nye moved to approve the meeting agenda; Commissioner Sauer seconded the motion. The board voted unanimously in favor: Jeannot, Markey, Nye, Roelofs, Sauer and Trigg.

The record shows the board conducted interviews with three applicants for the District VI vacancy: James Clark, David Davis and Marie Wohadlo. The transcript lists the interviews and the break times between them but does not include the candidates— answers, questions asked by commissioners, or other substantive details of the exchanges.

After the final interview, the meeting record states there were no public comments. Commissioner Roelofs moved to adjourn at 12:59 p.m.; Commissioner Sauer seconded. The motion carried with the same recorded unanimous vote.

The board—s decision to postpone the appointment means the vacancy will remain until the May 13, 2025 meeting, when the board will consider making an appointment. The meeting minutes were recorded with Art Jeannot listed as chair and Tammy Bowers as Benzie County Clerk.