Board reduces, extends staff stipends

The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners had some lengthy discussions on the issue of stipends for government employees this month.

Clerk Michelle Crocker and Chief Deputy Clerk Jennifer Zywicki have been receiving $250 stipends per week – at the rate of $25 an hour – to prepare the county budget, manage payroll, and work with an independent auditor.

These stipends were supposed to be canceled once the county’s finance department was established. According to Interim Administrator Richard Lewis, this has been done. The county board initially considered discontinuing the stipends at the end of the Nov. 29 pay period.