County board ratifies transfer of HR, payroll and accounting duties to administrator

The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners voted 5–2 on March 19 to adopt Resolution 2026-005, ratifying and formalizing the transfer of human resources, accounting and payroll duties from the County Clerk’s Office to the County Administrator, working with the county Finance and Human Resources staff.

The resolution affirms transfers that the board said began in 2022 and lists specific delegations to the administrator, including administrative rights to the county’s payroll and benefit systems, access to accounting files, and authority related to MERS defined-benefit plan signatory changes. The measure directs the clerk, administrator, finance director and HR manager to prepare any necessary forms and certificates to effect the transfers, and says any delegations requiring separate motions will be brought to the board.

Administrator Dyer told the board legal counsel had prepared a version that addressed board concerns and said documentation primarily records actions already taken in practice. Commissioners who supported the resolution said the step brings needed clarity and aligns duties under the administrator’s management responsibility. Commissioner Mark Walter moved the measure; it passed with Walter, Wessell, Yoder, Allgaier and Robbins voting yes; Commissioners William Bunek and Alan Campbell voted no.

Opponents raised process concerns. Commissioner Campbell said the final draft arrived late and urged additional public review time; Commissioner Bunek said the transfer again reassigns non-mandated duties among elected offices and objected to the timing. Clerk Michelle L. Crocker told the board she had outstanding concerns and asked for transparency; the minutes record she has raised issues previously.

The resolution enumerates ten delegation points, including the transfer of original payroll files created prior to Jan. 1, 2022, to the County Administrator (with the clerk retaining copies) while preserving the clerk’s responsibility for interpretation of records created before that date. The board’s action does not change mandated statutory duties of elected offices, but it shifts administrative responsibilities and signatory access as described in the text adopted.

The board recorded the vote and directed staff to present any implementing documents for signature or separate board action as required. The resolution and the minutes do not specify a timeline for transferring each listed system access or the specific staff who will be assigned those responsibilities; the administrator and clerk were directed to cooperate in preparing necessary documents.