For the first time in 30 years, the District 7 commissioner seat will be occupied by someone other than Melinda Lautner.
GOP nominee Steve Yoder will face off with Tim Dowd for the right to represent Kasson and Solon townships.
Dowd, the Democratic nominee, is a finish carpenter and longtime union member. He and his wife live in Solon Township.
Yoder manages the family business in the agriculture industry. He has served as a Solon Township trustee; is chairman of the county Planning Commission. He and his wife, Kasey have a young toddler son.
We asked county commissioner candidates the following questions to which they were asked to cap responses at 75 words each:
1.) As a result of legislation approved by state lawmakers in late 2023, the length of terms for county commissioners jumped from two years to four years. How will this impact governance at the county level?
Dowd: I think that four-year terms are a good change because the time and expense of a political campaign to begin with. The after a new Board of commissioners are elected it take time for the group to organized, decide on leadership, train any new Commissioner and then start to function to accomplish the work required to have an efficiently operating County government.
Yoder: I believe this change will create an opportunity for strategic planning and a focus on making impactful changes that will hopefully bring more stability to our County Government. It also helps create consistency with all the other major County wide office holders and hopefully help build relationships that will bring long term solutions with the goal of improving the lives of everyone living and visiting Leelanau County.
2.) In recent months, there has been a marked increase in the number of purported violations of the Open Meetings Act (OMA) by county commissioners and a board-appointed task force.
What is your knowledge of the OMA? What can be done to ensure transparency in county government.?
Dowd: My understanding of the OMA is that it requires that meetings held to do the county governments business are required to post the meetings in advance; record minutes of those meetings; and to make those minutes available. The postings are important as are where the postings appear. Having a system for this work is important and the people involved need to be aware of all the requirements.
Yoder: OMA is a mandate for local units of government to follow and ensure transparency, with the secretary of any meeting being the official responsible for proper meeting notices and recordings. It is important to ensure debate and decisions are always made in a public meeting. It’s time to follow the law and establish trust, transparency, and accountability so that the public can gain confidence and rest assured that their best interests are being managed well.
3.) Commissioners have paused its search for a new administrator with the intention of allowing the newly-elected board to select a new administrator in early 2025.
What do you consider the top three attributes of a successful applicant?
Dowd: The top three requirements that I would have for the new county administrator would be first of all be to have experience managing a similar organization in size and diverse departments. I would like to see references as to their ability to manage staff and to be an effective leader. Finally I think that being a team builder is an important skill, being able to assign staff that have the talents needed to accomplish the goals.
Yoder: Experience in County or municipal government is essential with a strong financial background while being able to help lead the County, and instill confidence that they are the “expert” in this process. Ethics and integrity are extremely important, and equal to that is the importance for what this professional will bring to the table along with the Boards commitment to support and respect the new Administrator as their primary partner in managing the county’s operations.
