County department heads and elected officials have expressed the immediate need to reinstate county administrator Jim Dyer.
Meanwhile, critics of the administrator continue to question his actions in light of a complaint filed by Rio Risbridger, head of the finance department.
Commissioners placed Dyer on paid administrative leave June 9, pending an investigation into the new hires’ 9-page letter to the board.
In her complaint, Risbridger alleged the administrator made inaccurate statements to the Board of Commissioners and lacked transparency with the sevenmember county board.
“In my time here (at the time 74 days), I have repeatedly found myself the only safeguard ensuring the finance department complies with the law, generally accepted accounting stands and county policy,” the complaint letter read.
There was no mention of the letter and nothing directly related on the board’s agenda at its regular monthly meeting Tuesday night.
The leave comes about 14 months into Dyer’s tenure as administrator. And since coming on the job since April 1, 2025, Dyer has been in the hot seat — beginning with his candidacy for Cherryland Electric Cooperative.
“ (Dyer) is a valuable asset and further is not a source of toxicity for our Leelanau County employees... ” — Sheriff Mike Borkovich Then there was a complaint from former finance director Cathy Hartesvelt and Dyer. The details of the complaint were not made public.
She was dismissed from her position in February of this year amid claims of insubordination. Dyer brought in former finance director Sean Cowen to assist on an interim basis. After Cowen completed his interim tenure, Dyer hired Risbridger as finance director. She began work March 23. Dyer’s involvement in the county Brownfield Redevelopment Authority also questioned by representatives of the county Republican party.
In an email to commissioners, dated June 3, Jim White, county GOP chairman, called for the board to “replace (Dyer) immediately.”
Tuesday night, county Sheriff Mike County Sheriff Mike Borkovich presented a letter to commissioners supporting Dyer.
“Administrator Dyer has been very helpful and professional in all of the contacts he has had with our Leelanau County Sheriff’s Office personnel, agency operations and for liability-based decisions,” Borkovich read from his letter during public comment.
“His knowledge and experience have been a great asset for operating our Leelanau County Sheriff’s Office.”
Borkovich said he personally has worked with Dyer on specific needs such as agency indemnification, vehicle fleet administration, personnel questions and most of all bing able to seek his advice on what has worked or has not worked for other agencies he had worked for downstate.
“He answers his phone and has always been available for me on a 24/7 basis … please reinstate (Dyer) ASAP,” the letter stated, “He is a valuable asset and further is not a source of toxicity for our Leelanau County employees.”
Like Borkovich, the county Treasurer and Register of Deeds John A. Gallagher III and Register of Deeds Jennifer Grant wrote letters of support for Dyer.
At the end of the meeting, commissioners went into closed session with attorney Matt Nordfjord of Cohl, Stoker & Toskey, presumably to discuss the investigation into Risbridger’s allegations.
No action was taken following the 45-minute executive session.
In related business, the board approved additional compensation for administrative assistant Lauren Cypher, who is acting as interim administrator.
Cypher will received an additional $4,214 per pay period through Aug. 18, totaling just over $10,000.
