TRAVERSE CITY —
Soil erosion enforcement will no longer be a duty of Grand Traverse County Drain Commissioner Kevin McElyea.
County commissioners voted 6 to 3 Wednesday to shift the enforcement duties from the elected drain commissioner to the county construction code office.
The switch is effective upon state approvals.
Environmental groups and other opponents wanted to keep a visible and public official in charge of soil erosion, but supporters of the change cited potential cost savings, efficiencies and greater oversight as among the move's benefits.
"I have no control over an elected official. The only control we have on him is budgetary," said Commissioner Larry Fleis, among those who supported the enforcement shift.
Commissioners Christine Maxbauer, Larry Inman and Ross Richardson opposed the transfer.
The board will consider an eventual reduction in McElyea's salary to reflect his narrowed duties in April.
Some residents and environmental groups told commissioners they didn't see reason to change soil erosion responsibilities and stressed the importance of protecting water and soil.
"We think that the ordinance has been fairly but strictly enforced," said John Nelson, baykeeper at The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay.
But others including some developers favored removing the duties from the drain commissioner and expressed frustration over interactions with the office.
McElyea told the board he was willing to work on ways to improve his office, including seeking customer and employee feedback and meeting with "stakeholders."
"As an elected official, I have to answer to the public," he said.
Region
Related Photos
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Grand Traverse County Drain Commissioner Kevin McElyea speaks Wednesday, during a Grand Traverse County Board of Commssioners meeting at the Governmental Center on Boardman Avenue. Record-Eagle/Keith King
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From left, Jen Seman, human resources director, and Dean Bott, interim county administrator, and Grand Traverse County commissioners Ross Richardson and Larry Fleis listen during public comment Wednesday as people express their thoughts regarding the transfer of soil erosion duties. Record-Eagle/Keith King
Soil erosion duties to shift to office
Cost saving, greater oversight cited as reasons for change
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