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Benzie County commissioners review 2025–26 budget; departments request increases
Summary
At a June 16 special meeting, Benzie County commissioners heard multiple department requests for the 2025–26 fiscal-year budget, including a 5% boost for the health department and a $15,000 request for the Probate/District Court; no final budget votes were taken.
Beulah, Mich. — The Benzie County Board of Commissioners met in a special session on June 16 to review department requests for the 2025–26 fiscal-year budget, hearing proposals from county officials and outside agency representatives but taking no final votes on individual budget increases.
Vice-Chair Nye opened the meeting at 10:00 a.m. in the Frank Walterhouse Board of Commissioners Room. A motion by Commissioner Roelofs to approve the meeting agenda, seconded by Commissioner Davis, carried unanimously.
Dan Thorell, director of the Benzie Leelanau Health Department, asked the board for a 5% increase in appropriations for the coming fiscal year. Michael Drager requested that the Technology budget be amended to include funds for training and schooling, phone stipends and travel expenses. Fire Chiefs Steve Adams and Mike McGirr asked the county to help fund the purchase of MDTS computers for fire operations.
Kim Nowak and Lisa Kenner, representing the Probate/District Court, requested an additional $15,000 to allow the court administrator to remain on staff for an additional two to three months while the office transitions to new personnel. Sara Swanson, Benzie County prosecutor, requested on-call pay for staff to cover after-hours responsibilities.
Kelly Long, Benzie County treasurer, presented her departmental budgets when the board reconvened after a midmorning break. Sheriff Kyle Rosa presented the sheriff’s budgets and requested that the Jail Administrator position be reinstated, that one deputy be reclassified to sergeant, and that bailiffs receive a $2.00-per-hour pay increase.
After an afternoon recess, Katie Zeits presented the remaining budgets; discussion of Central Dispatch was postponed to a June 24, 2025 study session. There were no public comments during the meeting. Commissioner Roelofs moved to adjourn at 3:11 p.m.; Commissioner Sauer seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
No formal budget approvals for the specific departmental requests were recorded at the special meeting. The board will address outstanding items, including Central Dispatch, at upcoming sessions.
