June/Early July Commissioner Report

I’m proud to be one of the many volunteers at Kid Fishing Day 2026, which was a wild success in terms of fun, eats (hot dogs, of course), and community participation.

My guess is that we had about 1,200 people attend — grandparents, parents, and, of course, kids, many of whom caught their first fish at the event.

Kudos to the county maintenance crew for making Veronica Valley County Park a gemstone, and to the Lake Leelanau Lake Association and the county Parks and Recreation Commission for providing booths.

Admittedly, the fishing was average as we had problems with the hatchery, but I heard very few complaints because people were so busy enjoying the good weather and other offerings. We’re already planning how best to purchase more and larger bluegills for 2027. They simply weren’t available this year.

There are too many people who made it all possible to thank here. Volunteers, please know that you were appreciated and helped create a beautiful day for Leelanau families.

Provided by Alan Campbell

Leelanau County Commissioner

District No. 5 (Leland and Centerville Townships)

Dear Readers:

A little over a month ago, I wrote that county government had taken a turn toward the controversial. Given what was to come, I may have understated the events of May.

But first, I owe readers an explanation about the timing of this newsletter and a hearty congratulations to Samantha, the web designer who makes this sharing of information possible.

Samantha, bless her, was married earlier this month and then ran off (as she should!) on her honeymoon. Consequently, the Commissioner Update is arriving later than normal.

Given recent events within county government, however, perhaps that is a good thing, as I was able to include a look at our special meeting held yesterday, July 9.

Thank you for opening the Leelanau Commissioner newsletter or visiting the Leelanau Commissioner website. Please keep in mind that the content on the website has been produced solely by me and may not reflect the opinions of other county commissioners.

If you know someone who may be interested in receiving the newsletter, please forward this email to them so they may subscribe. I will not share email addresses — my days of making a living through publishing have long passed — and unsubscribing is simple.

This edition addresses the following issues:

• A report on the special meeting, which, depending upon your level of speculation, may represent an important development in the administrator controversy — or more of the same;

• A recap of the administrator being placed on paid leave due to a "whistleblower" complaint filed by the finance director. There is no allegation of missing money — which may be where one's mind wanders after hearing about such a complaint — but a number of management issues are outlined. Links are provided to both the complaint itself and the administrator's rebuttal;

• A look at what could be on the agenda for the July 14 Executive Committee meeting. Here's a hint: Is it cheaper to buy or lease a vehicle?

My goal with this newsletter is simple: to make the work of the County Board of Commissioners transparent. Feedback is welcome through the link in this newsletter or by calling me at 231-492-4972. I enjoy our conversations.

Thank you.

Alan Campbell

Past emails and reports can be found on my website, leelanaucommissioner.com.

Author’s Note: Content is provided by Alan Campbell

What Was Said, Unsaid at Special Meeting

(Written on July 9, 2026)

While little was said by commissioners at our special meeting held Thursday morning, July 9, with only one item on the agenda, the inference was clear.

We were attempting to put to rest the controversies associated with our administrator.

Given that this newsletter is due to be emailed tomorrow, I’d like to explain what I can about the two motions passed by the board and what they mean for citizens and taxpayers.

Administrator James Dyer was placed on paid administrative leave on June 9 — one month ago. So, he is still being paid a salary of $127,000 plus benefits as though he were working.

I see you shaking your head. That’s not very efficient, especially since the County Board increased the salary of former county executive assistant Lauren Cypher while she fills the role of administrator.

This cannot go on forever — or much longer.

The delay was unavoidable to allow for an investigation into several allegations of poor financial decision-making and overreach of authority within the county administration. They were lodged by the county finance director. There was never a concern that money had been taken.

Time was needed to ascertain the facts and conduct interviews. All of that was brought together in a lengthy report received and reviewed by commissioners yesterday. We spent more than 1½ hours in closed session poring over and asking questions about the report with two attorneys from our law firm, Cohl, Stoker & Toskey.

We emerged to vote on two prepared motions:

• “I move that the Leelanau County Board of Commissioners authorize the board chair, vice chair, and county attorney to meet with James Dyer and present proposed terms consistent with the discussion in closed session, subject to Mr. Dyer’s acceptance and final approval by the board at a future meeting.” The meeting was scheduled to take place yesterday. I cannot disclose the outcome without opening the possibility of placing the county’s position in jeopardy.

• “I move that the Leelanau County Board of Commissioners accept the findings and recommendations of the investigation reports dated June 16 and July 9 reviewed by the board and authorize the county, through its appropriate officials and legal counsel, to provide necessary notices regarding the outcome and to take related actions consistent with the board’s direction.”

Both votes were unanimous.

In plain language, given the underlying circumstances, “proposed terms” would usually mean a separation agreement, though not necessarily. The investigative reports were prepared in response to allegations contained in a resignation letter from former finance clerk Elizabeth Gray and a whistleblower complaint filed by Finance Director Rio Risbridger.

No commissioner comments were made regarding the motions. After their passage, I made a statement that I will press to release as much of the attorney-client information provided to the board as possible without putting the county in jeopardy. Taxpayers funded these documents; they should have access to them.

While it may appear that the county is incurring legal fees in the thousands, that is not actually the case.

The cost for both investigations is covered by our contract with Cohl, Stoker & Toskey. So far, we have dodged that bullet several times. Recall also that Cohl Stoker investigated a policy violation complaint by former Finance Director Catherine Hartesvelt (who was subsequently fired by Mr. Dyer for insubordination), a contract dispute regarding his possible acceptance of a position on the Cherryland Electric Co-op board (paying $1,000 per meeting) that could be interpreted as violating the exclusive employment provision of his contract, and whether his unpaid board position with Peninsula Housing should preclude him, as a Brownfield Authority member, from voting on a contract sought by the organization.

Defense of a lawsuit, should it come to that, would be another matter. Cohl Stoker is not obligated to defend the county, which would shift coverage to our insurance carrier.

I believe the County Board has acted in good faith in its relationship with Mr. Dyer. I hope he feels the same.

Reviewing Events Of a Turbulent Month

July 10th, 2026

Well, that was an interesting month.

Let’s start at the beginning. One day prior to our June 9 Executive Committee meeting, county Finance Director Rio Risbridger sent each commissioner a letter outlining allegations against her boss and our employee, County Administrator James Dyer.

She sought protection against retaliation under the Michigan Whistleblower Protection Act. Leelanau County also has a whistleblower protection policy offering similar protection.

Her allegations were taken seriously by attorney Matt Nordfjord. He is assigned to work with Leelanau County by our legal firm, Cohl, Stoker & Toskey, PC.

The County Board started its day by holding a special meeting dominated by a closed session with Mr. Nordfjord. After hearing Mr. Nordfjord’s legal expertise, the board, at its Executive Committee meeting that followed, suspended its rules and voted unanimously to immediately place Mr. Dyer on paid administrative leave.

In principle, I oppose suspending our rules, but clearly this was an unusual situation. Our rules state that our authority is limited to making recommendations while meeting as an Executive Committee. Final action would normally occur the following week at our regular board meetings.

Mr. Dyer had been notified of the complaint and was not present.

Unfortunately, the public too often has been left in the dark regarding the board’s processes and discussions in handling complaints and legal opinions regarding Mr. Dyer. I hope to shed as much light as allowed in this newsletter.

The letter and detailed report provided by Ms. Risbridger were subsequently released. Mr. Dyer has written a 25-page response to the whistleblower complaint explaining his side of the ledger. He offers his perspective on the challenges he faced as administrator while not disputing much of the information contained in Ms. Risbridger’s report.

I have included links to both documents and included them in the Report column of the website, Leelanaucommissioner.com. I suggest reading both and coming to your own conclusions.

Mr. Dyer also has a high level of support within the county hierarchy of power. All-in support letters were sent to commissioners from the county treasurer and sheriff, and the county register of deeds also sent a support letter limited to her personal engagements with the administrator.

Some of the secrecy in this issue has to do with the whistleblower status of the allegations raised. Some also has to do with the need for private discussion with our attorney, which, through an exception in the state Open Meetings Act, can be conducted without the public watching.

My personal preference would have been to place Mr. Dyer on unpaid rather than paid leave, under the logic that if no wrongdoing was found, we as a board could always authorize payment at a later date. I considered the allegations, when combined with previous investigations, serious. Rather than make that a sticking point preventing a unanimous vote, I acquiesced.

Obviously, the unanimous vote to suspend was not partisan. It was also not a vote related to the county clerk’s office. Too often — sometimes subtly, sometimes bluntly — a very real division in support for the clerk is held among commissioners and elected officials. That can have a tendency to drive decisions that have no or very little connection to her office.

While the vote to suspend resulted from concern for Ms. Risbridger’s observations and conclusions, I’ve harbored and related both to him and within this newsletter policy differences with the administrator. I’ve been concerned about a lack of communication with commissioners and moves to consolidate authority now held by the County Board into the administrator’s office.

My voice often represents a minority among my colleagues. Still, I consider it a matter of principle, recognizing that commissioners are directly responsible to voters for our actions; administrators are not.

Among other allegations, the whistleblower complaint stated, “I have been the Leelanau County Finance Director for 74 days (March 23–June 5). Within 74 days, it has been very clear that under the County Administrator and Human Resource Manager, policies and contracts are not being followed or respected.”

She added, “In my time here, I have repeatedly found myself the only safeguard ensuring the Finance Department complies with the law, generally accepted accounting standards, and County policy. Based on what I have witnessed, I do not believe these standards would be upheld by either the County Administrator or the Human Resources Manager were I not here to insist on them.”

Ms. Risbridger, in her letter, offered to provide a “complete, detailed account of each concern at your request.” I followed up and asked for a copy of that account, which in turn was sent to each commissioner.

The 6,000-word report, to which a link was provided above, stated that:

• She was ordered to quietly provide extra compensation to a terminated employee without County Board approval, as required;

• Mr. Dyer misled th commissioners at a public meeting when he blamed a lack of financial information needed to pay bills on a “new and improved reporting system” — Ms. Risbridger’s words — when none existed;

• Mr. Dyer blamed the county clerk’s office for the signing of contracts to purchase two digital payroll programs that overlap.

More examples were cited. They were all investigated. Commissioners on Thursday morning at a special meeting received the investigation summary (see Story One).

Some have suggested that the finance director must have been out for her boss from the moment she was hired to have kept such a detailed record, but it’s important to recall that she entered county employment under misleading circumstances. She was hired out of the corporate world as the assistant finance director but, upon arrival on her first day, was told that she would instead assume the title of finance director with all the responsibilities required by state law.

The previous interim director, who we were told would stay on to train an assistant who could become his heir apparent, had resigned with little notice given — at least to commissioners.

It’s important to note that after the assistant finance director resigned with proper notice in December, Mr. Dyer placed Finance Director Catherine Hartesvelt on leave and then fired her without having a workable solution for handling county finances. A finance clerk, faced with the burden of running the department, subsequently resigned.

Both the assistant director and clerk wrote unflattering exit letters about Mr. Dyer’s management style and behavior, with an emphasis on financial safeguards.

The biggest complaints I hear about the whistleblower allegations are about Ms. Risbridger’s short tenure with the county, that she was likely co-opted by forces that oppose Mr. Dyer, and her young age.

I beg to differ:

• Ms. Risbridger’s shortened time with the county actually makes her a source less infected with the inside politics of county employment. She came without the opinions held by long-standing employees.

• To believe that she so easily could become a manipulated puppet makes our Finance Director out to be shallow and fawning. That’s a dismissive assumption. Could it be that she simply provided information that had not been shared with the board, along with conclusions based on her own observations?

• And the “too young” argument doesn’t deserve a reply, especially when leveled against a bean counter with considerable experience in the corporate world.

I was one of seven commissioners who voted to suspend Jim Dyer. You may agree or disagree with that decision, and I respect that.

However, regardless of your summation, I do want you to have the same information available to me when I said “yes” to that important roll call vote.

I believe Mr. Dyer is a capable lawyer, a likable human being, and, in some respects, a positive influence on county government. I like the guy. Please read his rebuttal.

When hired by the previous County Board on their last day of office — only two of those board members were re-elected and currently serve — I held hope that he would become a stabilizing force, especially for a finance department wracked by dissonance and turnover since its inception.

Unfortunately, the opposite has been true.

Other Business Being Addressed By Country

July 10th, 2026

I thought constituents would like an update on county events beyond the headlines produced by the administrator controversy, which was one reason I stopped by the County Building to discuss that topic with Interim County Administrator Lauren Cypher.

Ms. Cypher has provided administrator updates each week she has held the position, and I anticipate that consistency in communication will continue. I also gleaned information through stops to speak with other county officials.

Following are some of the topics discussed, some of which may come up during our Executive Committee meeting:

• Health insurance isn’t getting any cheaper despite making changes to offset increases.

According to a budget report prepared by Administrator James Dyer, health insurance costs in 2026 were initially budgeted at $2 million. Even after making structural changes in our self-insurance program, the final budget pegged the year-long bill at $2.6 million.

That won’t be enough, according to a compilation of five months of data. Recall that the two main changes made to our health insurance program were to create a drug co-pay for enrollees and increase the stop-loss level per employee from $20,000 to $50,000.

The change meant that Blue Cross/Blue Shield would cover health costs after the $50,000 level was reached by an enrollee. The previous level was $20,000, but much higher premium rates all but eliminated that option.

In a related development, the Board of Commissioners is going out for bids from firms interested in administering the county Blue Cross/Blue Shield health plan. Currently, Michigan-based BHS Insurance, which has an office in Traverse City, is the county’s broker.

• The Leelanau County Finance Department is revisiting lease-vs.-own options for the county vehicle pool.

Director Rio Risbridger is digging into the numbers, and they may show that, over a 10-year period, owning vehicles is the cheaper option.

The county partnered with Enterprise Fleet Management heading into approval of the 2026 fiscal year, which did save money to balance the current budget.

However, that may not be the case in the long run. The finance director’s report is expected to be discussed at our July 14 meeting.

Regardless of that outcome, the administration is discussing ways to reduce the county’s vehicle fleet costs. One option is to encourage or require sharing of vehicles among departments.

As an example, the county purchased a vehicle about a year ago for use by the drain commissioner. That truck has now traveled fewer than 1,000 miles.

• A warm welcome is due to Patty Boothroyd, who has been hired as a temporary office assistant.

Her voice will often be the first to greet callers to the County Building, as she’ll occupy the seat formerly filled by Cypher, who previously held the title of Executive Assistant for the county.

Per one of Cypher’s reports to commissioners: “She will take many basic clerical tasks off of my plate. She can work up to 16 hours a week through August, and hopefully by then we will have a clear plan for the Executive Assistant position.”

• Cypher also provided hope in her report, writing:

“If I can provide a little bit of reassurance: There are a lot of issues to resolve, many things in a repair and development phase. I can say with confidence that communication is flowing, departments are collaborating, and the energy feels productive. You have a really good group of people working here and I hope you have a lot of confidence in them. I know I do.”