Three Republicans are seeking a spot on the November ballot, representing District 7, which includes Solon and Kasson Township.
They are Amedee A. DeCruydt of Maple City; incumbent Melinda C. Lautner; and Steve Yoder.
We asked county commissioner candidates the following questions to which they were asked to cap responses at 75 words each.
Yoder lives near Cedar with wife Kasey and son while managing a family business in the agriculture industry. He currently serves as Solon Township trustee and board representative on the township Planning Commission.
Lautner, the incumbent, was first elected in 1994. She graduated from Traverse City St. Francis and attended Northwestern Michigan College.
Lautner owns and operates the sixth generation family farm with their son. She also runs two seasonal farm markets growing all the produce herself.
DeCruydt did not respond to our questionnaire.
The winner of the Primary will face Tim Dowd, who is running unopposed for the Democratic nomination in the general election.
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?
LAUTNER: The survey done last January has a lot of credibility issues. It was debunked by others in the same line. We heard immediately from employees that their positive statements were not included. Neither did we receive the redacted raw data that the county paid for. I believe we do have the trust of the majority of employees many of which have contacted me. We offer a health care plan and other benefits that cannot be matched anywhere.
YODER: The results from that survey are certainly very troubling and need to be taken seriously. I believe as a Commissioner it’s important to always view things with an open mind and listen intently to the concerns of those around you. My top priority will be to listen and then do the best I can with the abilities I’ve been given to work on and resolve any issues that arise.
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?
LAUTNER: I did not vote in favor of that amendment to limit free speech at the beginning of any meeting. Anyone who takes the time to attend our meetings deserves the right to address the board. Anyone is also welcome to contact me outside the board room, ball games, email, or telephone. Often this is where we learn the concerns or hear the accolades. So, yes. I do believe they should be allowed to comment on any issue.
YODER: I strongly favor public comment and always advocate for it; although everyone’s time is extremely valuable as well. I would strongly urge the public to speak to their elected representatives with concerns on a personal basis to avoid valuable time in tending to the work of the county. The policy that was adopted at the county I do not have serious concerns with due to the fact that it does not limit public input.
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?
LAUTNER: I am in favor of donating sick days to other employees. Our past administrator and HR employee wrote a new policy not allowing it. I pushed back on the new policy because it has been very successful in the past, and never abused. When circumstances arise and one employee wants to help the other out of kindness and it does not cost the county anything, it is a wonderful thing.
YODER: While the practice in itself is generous in many ways I would defer to legal counsel to determine if this process is legal and whether the IRS allows or prohibits this type of action. It is important as Commissioners that we manage the taxpayers of Leelanau County’s money with great responsibility and make that a top priority. If that practice is prohibited by the IRS I certainly can not support that type of process.
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?
LAUTNER: The stipends paid to oversee a financial department has saved the county thousands of dollars over going outside the county. There was also stipend paid to the administrative secretary to oversee parks and recreation commission. We also pay extra in the sheriff’s department to employees who oversee training. We are moving away from stipends but need to compensate employees for work completed. Probate court recently asked for “on call pay”. Basically a stipend. It was rejected in favor of hourly.
YODER: While I understand the idea of stipends and the use of them in certain circumstances, especially when one takes on an additional role. The numerous reports I have read and seen, seem to be fairly controversial in regards to different departments. It is my understanding that the current stipends will end by Sept. 13 which may resolve this issue altogether. However future stipends at this point I can not support with the information at hand.
