Two Elmwood Township residents are seeking the Republican nomination for the District 1 commissioner district.
They are Deborah Allen and Tim McCalley.
Allen served as Leelanau County Administrator from 2022 to 2024. She also was elected as an Elmwood Charter Township trustee in 2021 through 2022.
She was also vice president of the Leelanau Peninsula Chamber from 2018 to 2019.
Allen is a U.S. Navy veteran with strong Constitutional values instilled by her WWII Veteran parents.
Since 1989 Deborah and husband, Mark, call northern Michigan home.
McCalley is a retired air traffi c controller and supervisor from Cherry Capital Airport. He and his wife moved to Elmwood Township in 2019. They enjoy biking, boating, our many grand children and are active in our church and community services.
The winner of the primary will face former commissioner Rick Robbins, who is running as a Democrat, in November.
For the first time ever, the term for elected commissioners will be extended from two years to four.
We asked both four questions with responses limited to 75 each. Their answers are found below.
1.) Lately, employees and department heads have been leaving the county. In a January survey, staff rated the overall work environment 3.8 out of 10, and some comments suggested that employees did not trust the county board. As commissioner, what would you do to restore their trust and improve the culture in the government center?
ALLEN: In 2012 a culture survey indicated staff’s feelings that the Board needs to trust the “subject experts” hired to do the work of the County rather than micro-managing them. Staff was asked again in 2021 to share concerns by Chairman Ty Wessell, and in 2024 staff again was asked to give their feedback. But there’s been reluctance by the Board to accept their concerns. Simply put, “Don’t ask the question, if you don’t want the answer.”
MCCALLEY: The survey indicated a “hostile” work environment, a serious issue. Though I haven’t seen the detailed data, my 25 years as an air traffic controller and supervisor taught me the importance of trust and respect. As commissioner, I’d prioritize transparency, open communication, and regular feedback channels. Actively listening to employee concerns and supporting their development will be key to restoring trust and improving the workplace culture.
2.) Last year, the board of commissioners amended its rules so that public comment at the start of their meetings would be limited to items on the agenda. Do you think your constituents should be allowed to comment on whatever they want during the first public comment period, even things outside the county board’s authority? Or should they contact their elected officials outside of meetings instead.
ALLEN: As past County Administrator, I can attest there are significant issues impacting Leelanau County. The Board’s decision to limit the first public comment was based on their frustration that meetings were going excessively long. Their concerns are misdirected, since meetings could be streamlined by better preparation on the part of the Board and staff. Regarding public comment, as a constitutional Republican, I believe there is nothing more important than hearing the concerns of our constituents.
MCCALLEY: I understand the need to limit initial public comments to agenda items, as many government boards do. However, I recognize residents’ frustration when they feel unheard. As commissioner, I will prioritize listening to my constituents’ concerns both during and outside meetings. Open and honest communication is essential, and I am committed to ensuring all voices are heard and valued.
3.) Should county employees be allowed to donate sick leave time to each other? If an employee approached the board and requested to donate time, would you approve it?
ALLEN: The IRS provides clear guidelines on how vacation time may be donated. Until July 2024 when a new policy was put in place the appropriate process was disregarded. In reality,
Michigan county commissioners are responsible for setting an annual budget; auditing monthly bills; monitoring and approving of expenditures; and adopting equalized tax assessments. They also set the county tax rate, within its own rate limitations. Leelanau County commissioners are paid $8,000peryear.Theboard chairman has a salary of $10,000 per year. All commissioners are paid a per diem of $70 for a half-day, $120 for a whole day; travel reimbursements, and are either provided with health insurance or a payment in lieu of insurance.
some staff used this option to shift their vacation benefits to co-workers to avoid “losing” the cash benefit. County records confirmed, this “shell game” cost the County approximately $50,000 from 2015 – 2020. Both the County’s legal counsel and auditing firm confirmed this practice was inappropriate.
MCCALLEY: I am open to discussing a comprehensive sick leave policy for the county. Sick leave is highly personal, and any donation program should be handled on a case-bycase basis with clear limitations and verifiable documentation, ensuring compliance with HIPAA laws. If an employee requested to donate sick leave, I would consider it carefully, prioritizing fairness and privacy.
4.) The current board of commissioners voiced an intention to move away from paying stipends to employees for extra work, and the decision to pay the county clerk and deputy clerk stipends to continue helping with county finances was controversial. Would you support stipends like these?
ALLEN: Stipends are only intended when staff is providing work outside of their direct duties. Stipends paid to the Clerk’s Office have been controversial ever since the finance roles were ceremoniously removed by the Board’s action in May of 2021. Because the responsibility to support finance, and the level of compensation did not change, the issuance of stipends in this scenario has been seen as excessive. I could not support them in this capacity going forward.
MCCALLEY: The need for stipends should be carefully evaluated. The controversy began when financial duties were moved out of the clerk’s office three years ago. Why was this change made, and what was the intended goal? As District 1 Commissioner, I will prioritize resolving this issue with transparency and respect for taxpayer dollars. We need to ensure that any stipend decisions are justified and in the best interest of the county.
