County to Consider Menzel Contract

Grand Traverse County commissioners will consider approving a consulting agreement with retiring Bay Area Transportation Authority Executive Director Tom Menzel at their 6pm meeting tonight (Wednesday) at the Governmental Center.

The agreement would essentially amount to a volunteer arrangement on Menzel's part, as he is requesting just $1 per month for his services. Menzel is offering to assist the county until a full-time administrator can be hired in areas such as "a review of existing board of commissioner policies and strategies," particularly as it relates to the county's upcoming results-based budgeting process. Menzel has also offered to "provide an internal/external communication structure that enhances the communications" between board members, county staff and the public.

Menzel - who used results-based budgeting to reorganize the finances of BATA and the National Cherry Festival - told The Ticker in May that he'd "made it clear" to county commissioners he'd "be happy to help them map out the process...and redo the job description (of county administrator) for the skillsets they need." He also indicated at the time that he did not want to profit off the consulting arrangement, but rather wanted to help as "a community service."