Benzie commissioners reappoint transportation members, restructure airport representation; airport requests $15,000

The Benzie County Board of Commissioners reappointed Brian Halliday and Brian Fleetwood to three-year terms on the Benzie Transportation Authority (terms expire April 30, 2029) and established an ad hoc interview committee (Commissioners Tim Markey, Gary Sauer and Len Mathieu) to recommend a separate appointment.

Commissioner Rhonda Nye moved and Commissioner Len Mathieu seconded a motion to restructure Benzie County’s representation on the Frankfort County‑City Airport Authority by eliminating one "Citizen at Large" seat and reclassifying the "Board of Commissioners Liaison" as a formal "Board of Commissioners" seat. The board approved the change and named Commissioner Christina Trigg to serve in the county board seat with a term expiring Dec. 31, 2026; the motion passed by roll call with Commissioner Trigg recorded as excused.

Brooke Popp provided a presentation on the Frankfort County‑City Airport Authority’s budget request and asked the board to consider a $15,000 allocation from Benzie County. The board took no action on the funding request at the March 10 meeting. County Administrator Katie Zeits also provided administrative updates, including that Juneteenth will not be treated as a holiday for non‑judicial county employees at this time, a Frankfort EMS open house is scheduled Friday noon–2 p.m., and the county has narrowed benefit‑management vendor proposals to Gallagher and one other candidate.