Leelanau Commissioner Update October
It’s a favorite time of year to enjoy the outdoors that, for me, includes chances to share the beauty with friends new and old. In the top photo, I joined my son (middle) in taking two mobility challenged hunters out deer in county cherry orchards. They used adaptive shooting equipment provided by the Passing Along the Heritage Foundation during the Liberty Hunt.
In the bottom photo, a former Marine lines up behind my setter Lilly for a shot at a pheasant during the Wings of Freedom hunt near Morley. In all, Lilly guided three former marines, an Army soldier and a firefighter, all from Harrison. Donations to PATH and Wings of Freedom can be made at their websites.
County government needs a breath
Newsletter contents provided by:
Alan Campbell
Leelanau County Commissioner
District No. 5, Leland and Centerville Townships
Leelanau Commissioner Update
Dear Readers:
This is not a newsletter I wanted to write, but I promised to be truthful with you, and that includes days that I’m not overly proud of what’s going on.
I guess you could label much of the content of this month’s newsletter as downers. I was saddened by the resignation, under duress, I would say, of our finance director, and some of the actions taking place at our meetings.
It is what it is. My words may not make anyone happy, and some will say they are biased. But I’m not proud of what’s going on. I hope commissioners can turn a corner, and I’ll have more positive things to report next month.
Until then, I’m starting with my most positive stories. I think the 2027 budget and the process to forge it were credits to our finance department and interim administrator. And I’m satisfied that the property tax rates set for senior services and early child care will serve constituents, including property taxpayers.
I also address the reasons behind the finance director’s resignation and some rather wild allegations put forth by one commissioner.
Also, a heads-up that I’ve included two reports of interest. One provides an update on plans to monitor the Leland Dam for deficiencies; the other provides insight gleaned from an opioid settlement funds seminar held at the Michigan Association of Counties convention in Traverse City.
I need to toss in some knock-knock jokes next month. There was just too much going on this month.
Regardless, I appreciate you reading and providing feedback. If you feel appropriate, please consider forwarding this email to others with more than a passing interest in Leelanau County. A sign-up link is provided. It’s also easy to stop receiving the newsletter through another link.
Past emails and reports can be found at Leelanaucommissioner.com.
Enjoy this (relatively) quiet time in autumn in Leelanau County.
Author’s Note: Content is provided by Alan Campbell and may not represent the views of other county officials, including commissioners.
Budget Work Ready To Be Unveiled
October 5th 2026
Note to readers: I wrote this story prior to the resignation on Friday of former county Finance Director Rio Risbridger, which represents a huge loss to the stability of county government. You’ll find references to her in the story, as I lacked time to edit before this newsletter went out.
The budget was scheduled to be approved at our October 13 meeting, but given the resignation of Ms. Risbridger, a delay is possible.
Budget time is over ... sort of.
From my seat on the Leelanau County Board of Commissioners, it’s been an arduous but fruitful process.
I said so at our final budget hearing held Tuesday. Honestly, there is little to compare between our budget work a year ago and what occurred this late summer and early fall.
All told, we met eight times. Our final meeting went a whopping 4 1/2 hours.
When assembling the current budget last fall, I felt more herded than leading in a direction to put the county on solid financial footing. I don’t know if other commissioners felt the same, but the process this year seemed to provide us with more input over a larger map of county spending.
Ultimately, commissioners have three major assignments: Set county policy, hire and oversee the administrator, and approve a budget.
So what are the numbers? After all, that’s the only way to judge the final budget.
I haven’t received final numbers from a long list of changes commissioners made last week. They will be available Monday, which means Finance Director Rio Risbridger and Assistant Finance Director Austin Flint-Hinson have been burning the midnight oil.
But I can give you some pretty good estimates.
Expenditures and revenues are budgeted at $18,639,923 in the last update received by commissioners. On paper, that means we have a balanced budget, but there’s much behind the curtain. I’ll explain later.
However, several changes, most of them positive for finances, were made last week, which reduced expenditures by approximately $108,000, Risbridger explained. That would lower the budget to $18,531,923, give or take.
Expenses for 2026 were budgeted at $18,396,426 in 2026.
That’s an increase of less than 1 percent.
Given that 4% raises in wages for unionized workers had already been approved by the previous County Board, the proposed general fund increase is somewhat miraculous to me.
Following is more information on the proposed budget, which is scheduled to be approved at our Oct. 13 general meeting. That’s a month earlier than in 2025:
• All local government budgets have to balance, but that doesn’t mean that expenses and revenues for a given year match. To accomplish the balance, governments often draw from fund balance built up through the years in the exact amount that they might be short.
That’s what the county is proposing. At one time, that draw was hovering around $500,000, but I believe it will end up less. Considering that we conservatively estimated property tax revenue and we’ve built in $400,000 in a contingency fund, we should be stable.
• Commissioners voted to increase the wages of elected officials and their deputies over a three-year period. The reasoning was that the gap between the wages of the head of a department and those just below him or her has narrowed through the years.
I understand the need for separation, and so voted yes on the recommendation. In retrospect, I can see why Commissioner Will Bunek voted no. Had I backed up and taken a view as a constituent, which I should have, I would have likely gone the other way.
The cost will be $26,000 in each of the next three years.
No pay increase was discussed or suggested for commissioners.
• Health insurance was a big topic, and will continue to be. It was budgeted at $2.6 million but looks like it will finish at about $3 million. The budget for 2027 is being set at $3.3 million, a 10 percent increase. Keep in mind that enrollees paid a higher share of their insurance coverage in 2026. Still, asking taxpayers to pay an additional $300,000 after the $400,000 unbudgeted cost in 2026 represents a heavy lift.
• We made a lot of decisions at our final budget hearing. They included changes in the facilities department saving $104,000, a reduction in staffing in the finance department saving $44,000, and budgeting $40,000 for the Brownfield Authority.
• Risbridger and Interim Administrator Lauren Cypher eliminated several line items that, frankly, were never used by some departments. They included some overtime and training. But each item eliminated was considered individually with consultation of department heads.
• Risbridger provided insight. She does not expect expenditures in the current budget to be met. But she is worried about property tax revenues, which as of Sept. 30 were listed at $6.3 million. Some $7 million had been banked at the same time a year ago.
Also at play was an increase in the fund balance of $600,000 during fiscal year 2025, which carried into the current budget. The fund balance at this time of year usually sits at about $10 million, but dips greatly by July when property tax bills for the General Fund are mailed.
Commissioners Tackle Healthy Fund Balance
October 5th 2026
I don’t always say this, so let me pick up the volume. I’m pretty satisfied with the resolutions commissioners reached in reducing the millage rate for senior services and maintaining the same rate for early child care.
There were some hiccups, to be sure. One of my colleagues discussed a fund balance figure for the senior services program that was not representative of reality, which he apologized for at a budget session that followed. And it took some conversation to instill trust among all commissioners that reducing the senior millage rate for one year was in no way an attempt to gut or even reduce the level of services provided.
But over the years, the upper property tax rate of .32 mill that was again renewed in 2025 by voters brought in more revenue than what was budgeted or needed.
The result was a fund balance on Dec. 31, 2025, heading into the current budget, of $714,000. It grew by about $65,000 in 2025, and undoubtedly would have grown again had commissioners continued to tax at the highest rate possible. The $714,000 represents a low point for the reserve, as property tax bills for the senior services levy are mailed in December.
Revenues and expenses have been growing for the senior services budget. For the calendar year of 2025, expenditures finished at $1,226,809, according to the most recent audit. The proposed budget for 2027 is $1,498,203. That represents a 22 percent increase. However, keep in mind that the comparison is between actual and budgeted spending amounts.
I understand and appreciate the need to have funds in reserve both to carry programs from one fiscal year to the next and as a “rainy day fund” should something go awry in our property tax system.
But I also see no need to have county government hold 6-9 months of revenue, depending on the time of year.
If all plays out as expected, the .25 mill levy will bring in $1,112,649. My gut tells me the final amount will be more. Regardless, even at the lower estimate, the reserve funding for senior programs will be only reduced to about $400,000, which is plenty to have in reserve.
Why not let taxpayers keep their money rather than force it into the county treasury?
Senior Services Director Lena VanderMeulen wrote a thoughtful letter to commissioners seeking to clarify the fund balance amount, verify that reducing the rate for one year won’t harm service levels, and make clear that keeping the rate low for more than one year will negatively impact county seniors.
“The .25 mill levy will be manageable through 2027. However, I ask that future levy decisions involve the director, so you have a clear picture of our department’s landscape, including changing service demand and contractual costs,” VanderMeulen wrote.
We also maintained the .2 mill property tax rate for early child services, which will bring in plenty of funding to run the program, plus continue a model voucher program to help qualified parents pay for child care.
My Last Conversation With Finance Director
October 5th 2026
I’d like to relate a conversation I had during what turned out to be my final meeting with former county Finance Director Rio Risbridger, and likely her last discussion with a commissioner while director.
Our meeting, held in her office, ended before she emailed a brief resignation letter to commissioners and our interim administrator. That was at 5:03 p.m.
I had no idea earlier that afternoon that her resignation was coming. We discussed a number of issues, dominated by the finalized proposed budget and an upcoming meeting in which she would be forced to publicly defend the spending plan into which she had poured her heart and soul.
As background, on Tuesday, Sept. 29, we left our last (and eighth) budget work session, after 4 1/2 hours, close to a record for budget work for this set of commissioners, feeling pretty good about our decisions. Note that Commissioner Rick Robbins stormed out after 1 1/2 hours, saying he was going to talk to his attorney. We worked through the unnecessary distraction.
All was well.
But late last week, I received a call from Board Chair Steve Yoder that a request had been made to set an emergency meeting because, in essence, the budget we had all been working diligently upon would result in a precarious structural deficit. Following are the exact words, which are taken from an email from Commissioner Ty Wessel to Interim Administrator Lauren Cypher. Mr. Yoder was copied; Ms. Risbridger was not.
“I heard later that the Treasurer was concerned, had not been involved, believed our fiscal situation was misrepresented by amendments and transfers and that there would potentially be necessary layoffs in 4th Q of next year. I called John after hearing of his concerns and he verified his concerns and the fact that his office had not been sufficiently involved in the process.”
I mean no disrespect to any of those involved. John is our veteran treasurer, and I stuck up for him when the former equalization director made unsubstantiated allegations against him. Ty has served this county faithfully for more than a decade. But the statement made should have been vetted before being circulated to avoid the sequence of events that unfolded.
The treasurer has twice made presentations to the County Board about the budget. By statute, the treasurer’s role is set at custodial oversight of all county funds, collection and distribution of delinquent property taxes, and other activities mostly related to the revenue side of county business. He sounded no sirens when the meetings were turned over to him.
For more than five years, this and previous county boards had called for the creation of an independent finance department. The email represented a giant step back.
Neither Ms. Risbridger nor I mouthed the following thought in exact terms, but a buried part of our discussion was that her ability and authority were being undermined. The alleged shortcomings in her work were to be aired publicly, yet they had never been asked of her privately.
Still, Ms. Risbridger seemed up to the task. I asked her a litany of questions related to the health of county finances today, yesterday, and in one year. Answers were complete and positive.
Then she went through a litany of cost-saving changes that were possible, from simple to complex. Clearly, she brought fresh eyes to our “because we’ve always done it that way” mentality.
There is little, if any, irrationality in Ms. Risbridger, which makes her decision to suddenly quit out of character.
However, I think I know the reason for her acting impulsively. Her love of family.
Her husband works seasonally for the county in the maintenance department. The department’s original budget request, in which Ms. Risbridger had no involvement, called for a four-person, full-time crew, which would change the part-time positions into full-time status. I asked Maintenance Supervisor Duane Flaska at a public workshop if that person had been chosen, and he said no. The new position would be posted and resumes sought. The new staffing level was one of several budget changes in maintenance that are expected to save the county $107,000 in their first year.
I told Ms. Risbridger that I planned to publicly state that her husband works for the county at the next meeting to ensure openness. She encouraged that.
Then she told the story of how her husband, who is overqualified with a four-year degree in park administration, came to work for the county. They did and still do have different last names. Ms. Risbridger stayed mum on her then-fiancé’s application to ensure no one could claim nepotism. Only after he got the job and the ink was dry on his employment contract did she let on.
Late Friday afternoon, she fielded a call from a reporter following up on a tip from a commissioner that her husband needed a full-time job and was about to get one through the budget she wrote. I don’t know the exact words, and I don’t blame the reporter. Such calls are required with the job description. As often as not, no story develops.
Rather than face another round of self-defense for herself, with her husband dragged into the fray, she moved on. I’m certain greener pastures await.
I think of two things when reflecting on that reporter’s call.
I wish I had completed my thought and aired the relationship at our last meeting. It was a mistake on my part. You can’t claim openness and carry through part of the time.
And I wish Rio could have relied on commissioners to be supportive, or at least be neutral, in their dealings with her.
Rumor Wins Again With Poor Consequences
Also lurking in the background was a vote of no confidence in the finance director’s integrity.
The County Board, at its Sept. 15 regular meeting, voted unanimously to accept the director’s proposal to reduce her department from four to three positions. Two account clerks would be replaced by one higher-paid position, which would be needed as we move from paper bookkeeping for payroll into an integrated digital system. The staffing change made perfect sense, representing a visionary approach that would save thousands every year.
Her plan was approved unanimously.
Then it was shot down when staffing levels were being recommended at the next budget session. Ms. Risbridger was, in so many words, called deceitful.
We were about to take the vote when a commissioner couldn’t resist.
Sheepishly, he said, “People do talk, and I’ve heard you have somebody in mind.”
Then another piped in, Commissioner Rick Robbins.
“A previous employee?”
Ms. Risbridger, not one to run from the truth, sought to clear the air by asking if the commissioners were referring to Elizabeth Gray. Ms. Gray penned an exit letter on March 9 extremely critical of then-County Administrator James Dyer for creating a hostile work environment, administrative failure, and a loss of financial controls. An investigation by the county law firm found most of the letter to be valid.
Ms. Risbridger was hired about six weeks later. She found many of the same shortcomings as outlined by Ms. Gray and wrote a similar letter. Ms. Risbridger was determined to be a whistleblower according to county policy and state law. Mr. Dyer was placed on administrative leave in June. A separation agreement followed.
“I think that if Elizabeth wants to apply we’ll interview her, but I have no intention of giving her this position or having her as the No. 1 person for this position,” Ms. Risbridger replied.
That was a smart answer. Ms. Gray’s allegations were upheld. Blackballing her from being given equal treatment would put the county in legal jeopardy.
And besides, the entire conversation was based on a rumor started by commissioners.
Ms. Risbridger’s follow-up question provided clarification. “So to be clear, you’re going to vote no because you think I’m going to hire Elizabeth Gray for this position?” she asked.
County commissioners have no role in the hiring process other than setting staffing levels.
The motion failed, with Commissioners Robbins, Wessel, and Gwenne Allgaier voting no. I was joined by Commissioners Will Bunek and Mr. Yoder in voting yes. Commissioner Mark Walter had left to attend another meeting.
Before it was over, one of the dissenting commissioners stated that Ms. Gray “had worked against us.” I reviewed her exit letter, which was almost entirely directed at the former administrator. Her only mention of the County Board was:
“‘I share these experiences in good faith, with the sincere hope that the Board will take the necessary steps to protect the County’s remaining staff and restore its financial integrity.’”
At the next budget session, emotions had faded and the finance department change was approved. Apparently, a point was made. I don’t know what it was.
I already miss the integrity, smarts, and wit of Ms. Risbridger. She was only 26 years old when hired, which was considered too young by some at the table.
I think we’re just too old.
Airing the Stench Cast by One Commissioner
October 5th 2026
A recent story driven by allegations created by Commissioner Rick Robbins has county government a-buzzing.
One result was the loss of the services of our talented Finance Director Rio Risbridger, who resigned Friday after being blamed for something that was not of her making.
I had hoped to fill this space with a number of positive activities undertaken by county government. But as has happened so often with this County Board, for every step taken forward, we take two steps back to handle something that should have ended with a phone call.
But unfortunately, rumors and innuendo are how we too often operate. Politics I can handle because there is often a philosophical seed someplace in the discussion. It’s the personality grudges that won’t die and deny your government real progress.
So rather than look forward, I’ll backtrack to clear up what should have been manageable misunderstandings instead of overblown controversies.
(Please note, I don’t blame the publication or reporter for forcing Ms. Risbridger out. Comment was sought from her. She had tired of being hung out to dry and decided not to participate in the farce.)
Following are statements from the story that need clarification or correction:
• “Asked about his belief that Risbridger was stacking the deck to get her husband a new job, Robbins says he was told as much by Flaska, who could not be reached for comment on this story.”
Fact: The original budget proposal submitted by Facilities Director Patrick Roach, with participation from Mr. Flaska, requested that the department staffing level be increased from 3.5 to 4 full-time equivalent positions. Neither Ms. Risbridger nor her husband were in positions to affect that original request. As it turned out, the change will save the county $107,000 annually by combining two supervisory positions into one.
For the record, I never supported nor saw the need for such a small department to have two bosses. That was an action carried out by the previous board.
I called and talked to Mr. Flaska. He’s not a public person, works hard for the county, and is very articulate. We’re lucky to have him. At a recent budget hearing, he spoke in favor of the new maintenance department alignment to commissioners. If you want to know the truth about what was said between him and Commissioner Robbins, please give him a call or stop by to discuss it with him. He may issue a statement to remove his name from Commissioner Robbins’ unfounded accusations. I deeply respect Mr. Flaska, a veteran, and will not pass on further details about our discussion.
• “I’m not a whistleblower, but I kind of am, so I should be protected against harassment and intimidation by county officials,” Robbins tells The Ticker. He says he’s since filed a criminal complaint against Bunek with the Michigan State Police (MSP), alleging violations of whistleblower protection laws.
This is the most ridiculous statement in the story. I’m glad it was printed, because it explains how twisted Commissioner Robbins has made the issue. Somehow, he thinks he’s the victim for exposing something that played out and was discussed at public meetings. Not much of a conspiracy. In the process, he unleashed serious allegations against Ms. Risbridger, who actually is a whistleblower for exposing the actions of the county’s former administrator.
I ask readers to review the tape of our final budget hearing to determine for themselves whether you feel it a waste of taxpayer dollars for the State Police to investigate what was a heated discussion between Commissioners Will Bunek and Robbins. I personally thought Commissioner Robbins was the aggressor. I expect both anticipated encountering disagreements while in office. But a whistleblower? A State Police investigation? Really?
Mr. Robbins missed about three hours of the budget discussion during which many important decisions were made.
• “In my mind, [that issue] is completely resolved,” she says. “The Board of Commissioners have approved a commercial card program that's underwritten on the county's tax ID, and that is moving forward to implementation.”
This is a truly shameful part of Mr. Robbins’ effort to disturb county government. In essence, he wants a public flagging of Interim County Administrator Lauren Cypher.
The issue goes back to “card gate,” a subject I reported to constituents in the July/early August newsletter. A few years ago, a credit card was sought by the Sheriff’s Office to avoid charging budgeted purchases to cards held in other departments. Made sense. But a mistake was made when the card was issued in the name of the undersheriff. All was well until the card bill went unnoticed one month, resulting in a late payment. Ms. Cypher handled the ensuing controversy with grace and complete openness, apologizing in person to the undersheriff and his wife. A letter was sent to the credit card company explaining the error to prevent harm to the couple’s personal financial record. The mistake was readily admitted to by Ms. Cypher, discussed in detail at public meetings, and resulted in an update to the county credit card policy.
It represented a lesson in how to handle a hot issue. But not for Mr. Robbins.
At one point, Ms. Cypher said that the problem had “been handled.” That was before the check was signed. Mr. Robbins equates that statement to lying to commissioners. Two months later, he won’t stop.
I liken it more to saying you finished painting the room before the paint was dry.
Mr. Robbins is calling for an all-out investigation. Our county attorney sent us a letter on options to proceed because, I gather, he was obligated.
The letter is part of “attorney-client privilege,” and so can be discussed during a closed session. It’s on the agenda for the meeting that begins Tuesday, October 6, at 9:30 a.m. Please attend to express your thoughts.
I will not be part of the charade. I will not vote to hold a secret meeting on a public topic. If Mr. Robbins wants to berate our interim administrator, let him do so in public. She has nothing to hide.
We’ve already lost one of our top managers.
Please comment, attend
Please plan to attend one of our regularly scheduled meetings. And consider contacting me through the leelanaucommissioner.com website or by calling my cell at 231 492 4972.
Content published on the Leelanau Commissioner Newsletter will become part of Leelanau Commissioner Alan Campbell’s website. Please visit at leelanaucommissioner.com.
