The Bay City Council meeting on September 16, 2025, focused on several key issues, including a proposed reduction in the city's tax rate and upcoming community events.

City officials announced a decrease in the tax rate from 0.56916 to 0.55772, marking a total reduction of 9 cents over six years. This change is expected to result in a revenue increase of approximately 1.6% for the operational budget. The council opened the floor for public comments regarding the proposed property taxes for the fiscal year, but no audience members chose to speak on the matter.

In addition to financial discussions, the meeting highlighted Bay City's efforts in tourism promotion. The city manager shared that Bay City is now featured in the Texan Yearbook, which includes an advertisement for local tourism initiatives. The publication will showcase attractions such as the nature center and the upcoming Bird Fest, reinforcing Bay City's designation as a birding capital.

The council also discussed several community events, including the National Night Out scheduled for October 7, 2025, which will feature activities for families and children. Other successful events mentioned included the "Touch a Truck" event, which attracted over 900 attendees, and upcoming activities like campfire stories and a zombie run.

The meeting concluded with a motion to postpone the final budget vote for fiscal year 2026 until September 23, 2025, which was unanimously approved. The council then entered an executive session to discuss legal matters, returning to open session without any action items arising from the closed meeting.

Overall, the meeting underscored Bay City's commitment to community engagement, tourism development, and fiscal responsibility as it prepares for the upcoming budget year.