Leelanau County board ratifies termination of GEI Consultants agreement; approves interim administrator pay and audit extension

The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners on June 16 ratified an administrative termination of the county’s as‑needed consulting and engineering agreement with GEI Consultants of Michigan, P.C.

The motion, made by Commissioner Mark Walter and seconded by Commissioner William Bunek, ratified notice and action taken on June 1, 2026 by then‑County Administrator James Dyer to terminate the GEI agreement. The motion passed unanimously.

Separately, the board approved a salary for Interim County Administrator Lauren Cypher of $4,214.50 per pay period through Aug. 18, 2026, or until further board action (motion by William Bunek; second by Ty Wessell). Commissioners discussed the audit timeline and then authorized the board chair to sign any documents necessary to file an extension for the county’s 2025 audited financial statements and Annual Financial Reports (F‑65). Although staff said the auditors did not believe an extension was necessary, staff preferred to file to avoid an extra special session.

Later in the evening the board entered a closed session under MCL 15.268(1)(h) to consider a written attorney‑client privileged communication from corporate counsel dated June 16, 2026. The board resumed open session at 9:01 p.m.

The meeting concluded with approval of claims totaling $256,851.48 and post‑audit claims of $6,672,843.57; both measures passed unanimously before the board adjourned at 9:03 p.m.