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Residents press commission for accounting of costs and say they are boycotting Bay City Bridge Partners
Summary
Two public speakers urged action regarding Bay City Bridge Partners, asking for an accounting of attorney and staff costs tied to the bridge dispute and describing an organized boycott of toll transponders and accounts. A resident also asked whether tolling has been suspended on a partially completed bridge.
Two residents used public comment time on April 21 to urge the commission to take a firmer public stance on Bay City Bridge Partners and to provide financial accounting related to the dispute with the private bridge operator.
Jeff Reed, a longtime Bay City resident, said citizens are organizing a boycott of Bay City Bridge Partners and urged residents to close accounts and remove transponders. He asked the commission to disclose how much the city has spent on attorneys and staff time related to the bridge issue since the toll increase and subsequent disputes. "How much money have we spent on attorney's fees for the Bay City Bridge Partners issue? And how much money have we spent for city staff regarding this Bay City Bridge Partners issue?" Reed asked. He also asked whether the private partner had suspended tolling on a partially‑completed structure; the commission did not provide an immediate answer and staff agreed to follow up.
Separately, a public commenter raised safety concerns about a protest on the Betts Bridge that produced near‑misses from drivers who were looking at the demonstration; the mayor asked the speaker to meet with staff after the meeting for guidance.
What the commission did not decide: public comment prompted requests for information; no formal action was taken during the meeting. Commissioners and staff acknowledged the public concern and said they would provide follow-up information on legal and staff costs and on the status of tolling if available.
(Reporting note: statements and questions attributed to Jeff Reed reflect his remarks during public comment at the April 21 meeting.)
