Election 2022: County Commission District 4 race features Wessell vs McMillan
From staff reports
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners District 4 race features incumbent Ty Wessell (Democrat) vs challenger Mike McMillan (Republican). Wessell, the current board chair, is a retired educator who has served Northport and Leelanau Township for the past four commission terms. McMillan works for PepsiCo.
Democrats currently control the Leelanau County Board of Commissioners, 4 seats to 3, after Lois Bahle won a special recall election earlier this year. Will Democrats hold control, or will Republicans regain power? We asked the candidates about: their accomplishments on the Board (for incumbents), or why they are running for the Board (for challengers); their party affiliation; their thoughts on the County’s new septic inspection ordinance; their thoughts on growth in Leelanau County; the role the Commission should play in supporting early childhood education and childcare; support for workforce housing, and the recent reorganization of the County Clerk’s duties and the addition of two new county government departments. All seven Democrats responded to the questions; four of seven Republicans responded.
For incumbents: What is something you’re proud of that you have accomplished on the Leelanau County Board of Commissioners? For non-incumbents: Why are you running for the Leelanau County Board of Commissioners?
District 4, Ty Wessell (D) incumbent: I have asked the right questions, represented all residents and worked to ensure responsible financial oversight. I believe that I have been successful in advocating for young families, promoting community partnerships and modeling thoughtful decision-making. I am most proud of the part that I played in promoting quality services to residents, responsible budgets, early childhood programming, the fiber project and the approval for moving forward with a septic inspection ordinance.
District 4, Mike McMillan (R): I believe my broad and diversified business, volunteering and local fiber experiences can help the County address the 2-3 major issues that currently only get discussed by Committees. I led a small team of area residents and partnering w/a local internet service provider to bring the first and only end to end fiber to the County, now connecting over 200 homes and businesses. Because of that experience I became a member of LIFT, a committee created years ago to address the lack of broadband in the County. When I joined the committee they were stuck on wireless, not understanding the opportunity fiber could provide. Once the American Rescue funding was made available, focus turned to fiber because of the required speed to qualify for funding. I watched first hand how the Commissioners walked away from addressing the larger goal of connecting the County and instead approved a no-bid $5M contract with a out of state private equity company to address a limited number of households, some of those households are the highest valued properties in the County. To add insult to injury, the agreement leaves a $1.8M funding gag that will have to be picked up by everyone for the benefit of a few. Rather than sit back, I decided to run for office.
Explain your party affiliation. Why are you a Democrat or Republican?
D4, Wessell: I am a member of the Democratic Party. Although I would prefer that Commission races were non-partisan, I support my party’s positions on issues related to the role of government, labor, environment, social justice, service to residents and democracy. Party polarization can negatively impact the quality of decision that we make and I believe it is my responsibility to listen more than I talk, seek common ground, consider opposing viewpoints, learn from others, and understand the rationale for divergent views.
D4, McMillan: A interesting question, one I’ve never been asked. I’m a life-long Republican for two specific reason, smaller government and foreign policy, including a strong defense. I’d prefer to see the County hold elections without party identification. It feels like a distraction. Since living here I’ve worked with two Township Supervisors on pickle ball expansion in Northport and I don’t know their party affiliation and I don’t care to know. There’s work to be done at all levels in Leelanau County, let’s set aside party as a qualifier.
What are your thoughts on the Commission’s new septic inspection ordinance? What other environmental initiatives would you pursue as Commissioner?
D4, Wessell: Why did it take so long? The action by the Board was a long time coming. After almost three decades of study, debate and failed attempts, Leelanau County finally took action to move forward. We heard testimony from environmental experts and the public. The evidence is clear that we have failing septic systems and our lakes and groundwater are at risk. An inspection ordinance is necessary and the result will be a cleaner environment, protection for the homebuyers and improved health of our residents.
Other initiatives that we need to advocate for include environmental-friendly zoning rules, controlled growth, and the control of invasive species. We must educate our residents on pesticide use, septic system maintenance, and boat launch washing. I would also like us to seek ways to support the efforts of the Leelanau Clean Energy.
D4, McMillan: I support the septic inspection ordinance. I understand the concern expressed by some about “what’s next” but at some point we have to have a minimum level of trust in the process. Regarding other environmental initiatives, these should be decided by the experts and only brought to the Commissioners when they seek alignment or structure for their initiative. The Commissioners job description is fairly simple, make sure we are maintaining the required functional budgets and managing County owned property.
What are your thoughts on growth in Leelanau County—both population and infrastructure? What role should the Commission play here?
D4, Wessell: We must protect our environment, find a way to support young families and seniors, complete our tower and fiber initiatives, maintain our roads by supporting the Road Commission, and keep taxes as low as possible while providing necessary services. To keep and attract young families and workers, we must work on housing affordability. Land costs, construction costs, zoning restrictions, and regulatory procedures play an integral role. Without spending significant funds, we can work to help our communities be ready for environmentally responsible development. We must also use the Land Bank Authority and the Brownfield Development Authority to promote attainable housing. With all of our community partners, we must protect what makes our County special.
D4, McMillan: The concern I have is that the County is getting older and we are losing our younger citizens and becoming a less attractive place to raise a family. Why? There are three obvious issues, lack of attainable housing, lack of non-service jobs to sustain a family and lack of fiber that could attract and sustain new businesses. My view is that attainable housing is owned by the Townships where most of the power rests in the County. The fiber opportunity can only be accomplished through a public/private/homeowner partnership as we demonstrated in my area. The lack of non-service jobs will be assisted by having high speed fiber but we need to look to the schools to help prepare students for non-college careers. We need to respect and encourage skilled trades as a career.
What role should the Commission play in supporting early childhood education and childcare in the County?
D4, Wessell: It takes a community. I was a part of advocating for an early childhood millage to support young families. We must maintain the program that was approved by the voters. Although County role is limited, we must look for ways to work with partners to expand the availability of child care providers.
D4, McMillan: A few years ago the County’s branch of The League of Women Voters started working on this issue and it was picked up by Jack O’Malley who worked to make it legislation. The Commissioners have their own job to do, managing existing budgets and referendums. Let the subject matter experts develop the plans, let local zoning address regulations and encourage the State to remove regulations that restrict the flexibility needed in smaller communities.
What can the Commission do to support local workforce housing?
D4, Wessell: The County can support local workforce housing by convening stakeholders, advocacy efforts, collaboration with regional partners, promotion of PILOT/TIF agreements, modification of local tax rules and work with with townships and villages to revise zoning ordinances. Additionally, we can promote the use of the Land Bank and Brownfield Authorities as tools to offset development costs, streamline the inspections and permitting processes, and add incentives for developers. We can make our County ‘Housing Ready.”
D4, McMillan: There is very little the County can do. The decision making process is owned by the Townships and likely only those Townships with the necessary infrastructure, i.e. sewer, gas, minimum 100mb broadband. The County could possibly be involved if the Townships seek housing regulation relief because the recommended solutions could include mixed-use development vs single-family housing. Potentially the County could work on behalf of the Townships to secure State and National resources.
What are your thoughts on the recent reorganization of the County Clerk’s duties and the addition of two new county government departments?
D4, Wessell: I opposed the plan that was approved by the Commission. I disagreed with the process, the added costs, and the lack of rationale and staff involvement. I lost the argument and the plan was approved. Effective boards don’t always agree on decisions. Once approved, all have an obligation to support and work to make the plan successful. Evaluation of the plan must include staff evaluation, on-going internal review and consideration of the 2022-23 internal and external audits.
D4, McMillan: I’m supportive of the change. Prior to the change those responsibilities rested with one person, meaning only one person held decades of institutional knowledge. The change makes sense given the importance of employee retention, fiscal responsibility and succession planning.
