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County board recommends Brownfield Authority keep forfeited Varley earnest‑money proceeds
Summary
The board voted 5-2 to recommend that the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority retain forfeited earnest‑money proceeds from the failed Varley property sale (approximately $96,000 after closing costs), a move supporters said preserves working capital for remediation projects while opponents urged returning funds to the county general fund.
Chairman Steve Yoder and the Leelanau County Board of Commissioners recommended that the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority retain forfeited earnest‑money proceeds from the failed sale of the former county building property in Leland. The motion to document retention of the forfeited deposit was approved 5-2.
The request was presented by David King, chair of the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, who explained the funds would allow the authority to continue remediation and community redevelopment work. Commissioner Ty Wessell moved the recommendation; Commissioners Wessell, Yoder, Gwenne Allgaier, Rick Robbins and Mark Walter voted in favor. Commissioners William Bunek and Alan Campbell voted no.
Commissioner Bunek argued the forfeited money should return to the county general fund, describing the sale and its fiscal effects on the county. Administrator James Dyer said the forfeiture is not the full $100,000 sometimes cited in prior documents; after closing costs the forfeited earnest money is about $96,000 (approx.), and the Brownfield Authority had performed remediation steps that enabled the property to be marketed and sold before the transaction failed.
Commissioner Campbell suggested folding proceeds into county contingency and recommended the Board hear requests as part of the regular budget process. King noted Brownfield has current projects and a nearing expiration of a $250,000 grant that constrains that authority's cash flow if not spent. An amendment by Commissioner Bunek to split the $100,000 into a $50,000 loan and $50,000 reserve failed for lack of a second.
The board's recommendation now moves to the regular session for final action; Administrator Dyer said the record would reflect the history and balances related to the sale and forfeiture.
