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Crystal Lake resident reports 197 feet of shoreline lost; commissioners to summon Drain Commissioner
Summary
Valerie Rissi told the Benzie County Board that all 197 feet of her Crystal Lake frontage eroded in June and asked for an investigation; the board agreed to summon the Drain Commissioner to explain his duties and public nonresponse and said that meeting would be open to the public.
Valerie Rissi, a year‑round Crystal Lake resident, told the Benzie County Board of Commissioners during public comment on July 22 that all 197 feet of her lake frontage eroded this June and that the damage extended to her home.
"I have 197 feet of frontage on Crystal Lake, and all 197 feet of it has eroded," Rissi said, and added she had requested lake level records from the Drain Commissioner but did not receive them and instead obtained the records through a FOIA request to county staff.
Rissi asked the board to summon the Drain Commissioner to inspect the property and investigate the cause of the erosion and damage. Commissioner Nye asked that Rissi’s photos be circulated to the commissioners for review; Rissi said she would provide more images documenting the current condition.
Later in the meeting Chair Art Jeannot said it was the board’s consensus to summon the Drain Commissioner to a meeting to explain his duties and to address why he has not been responding to public inquiries about lake levels; Jeannot said the meeting would be open to the public.
Why this matters: The complaint raises questions about shoreline management, lake‑level monitoring and the Drain Commissioner’s responsiveness to property owners reporting damage. The board’s decision to summon the Drain Commissioner creates a clear next step for public accountability and a potential avenue for county oversight or follow‑up inspections.
What’s next: The minutes record a board consensus to request the Drain Commissioner’s presence at a future public meeting to explain his role and response; no inspection date or formal directive to staff to arrange an inspection was recorded in the minutes. The county administrator and commissioners will receive photographs and additional documentation from Rissi and decide on scheduling the Drain Commissioner’s appearance.
Source: Public comment and subsequent discussion, Benzie County Board of Commissioners regular meeting, July 22, 2025.
