Leelanau County adopts 2% allocation policy, approves multiple nonprofit awards amid debate over county’s gatekeeper role

Leelanau County commissioners voted May 20 to adopt a policy that formalizes the county’s role as the gatekeeper for 2% in-lieu-of-tax funding applications to the Grand Traverse Band and approved several 2% allocation requests, including $15,000 for Inland Seas Education Association and $12,000 (with a 50% match) for Home Sweet Home Nonprofit Housing Corporation.

The board’s debate centered on how much oversight the county should exercise. Commissioner Rick Robbins argued the county’s role is to screen and forward applications to the Tribe: “Our job is to be the gatekeeper, pass it or not,” he said. Administrator James L. Dyer told commissioners the policy “permits [administration] to assist applicants in submitting their application as favorably as possible, not to become a substitute for the Tribe.”

Commissioner Alan Campbell said he worried the county could inappropriately substitute its judgment for the band’s and recommended limiting county intervention. Commissioner Gwenne Allgaier said she trusts administration to make only minimal edits and opposed sending routine applications to Corporate Counsel for review.

Opponents, led by Commissioner William Bunek, pressed for stricter controls and asked that contract edits and some application materials be reviewed by the county’s legal counsel before approval. Bunek repeatedly questioned administrator edits to remonumentation contracts earlier in the meeting and argued similar oversight should apply to 2% matters; his proposed amendment to remove a section of the 2% policy failed. The board adopted the full policy by majority vote.

Several 2% allocation requests were approved earlier in the meeting. Motions carried to forward the following requests to the Grand Traverse Band for consideration in the spring 2025 cycle: Sheriff’s Office Accident Investigation Total Station ($20,981.13); Parks & Recreation disc-golf updates ($18,006); Probate and Family bikes/storage for youth programs (up to $18,000); 13th Judicial Circuit Court Child & Family Services Safe Haven program ($5,000); Inland Seas Education Association Leo Creek Preserve ($15,000); and Home Sweet Home Nonprofit Housing Corporation ($12,000 with 50% match).

Dyer and commissioners discussed fairness concerns raised by Bunek about diverting funds from local governments and service providers; Allgaier and others said nonprofit programs serve county residents in ways local governments cannot. Dyer said the policy is intended to standardize how county staff assist applicants and to make the forwarding process consistent with the Tribe’s consent judgment and priorities.

The board did not vote to rescind any prior allocations; it approved the policy and left the Grand Traverse Band as the final decision-maker on awards.

The board indicated it will place discussion of Delinquent Tax Revolving (DTR) fund use on the June agenda after questions surfaced during the meeting about a DTR payment processed for a Point Broadband contract.