Bay City officials face public outcry after bridge operator doubles monthly transponder fee; commissioners seek legal options

Bay City commissioners on Feb. 3, 2025 faced sustained public criticism after United Bridge Partners notified users that the monthly transponder price would increase from $15 to $30 for many account holders and that the free five‑year resident crossing timeline could be affected.

The issue drew large public comment at the commission meeting, where longtime and new residents described the financial strain and travel disruption the change would create for workers, low‑income households and families who cross the river for jobs and services. Mayor and Commission President Steven Prince and other commissioners said the city has requested and received legal advice and that staff and the city attorney are reviewing contractual options.

The debate centers on the lease and tolling rules negotiated with United Bridge Partners. Several commissioners, including Commissioner DeWitt, said the company increased fees without adequate notice to the city and without the protections many speakers said should have been written into the 75‑year lease that transferred tolling responsibility to a private operator. “We’re losing time, and we are not getting an extension for the close time that should have been done before they started tolling,” Commissioner DeWitt said.

Residents told the commission the change was implemented with little notice, that advertised crossing fees on mapping services are inaccurate, and that transponder holders received unexpected billing increases. “This company is profiteering off the backs of this community,” said Kayla Harper, a resident who addressed the commission. Nicole Gross, who said she cannot afford the new rate, described how tolls may prevent her from getting to work if alternate bridges close for repair.

Commissioners said the city has obtained a legal opinion that under Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act and related authorities some emails and city records are subject to public disclosure; commissioners also said an opinion supplied to the commission did not resolve all outstanding contract questions about tolling authority and fee changes. “We were told they could toll, but it wasn’t specific to the latest questions that we have,” the city manager said at the meeting.

Commissioners and the city manager said attorneys are reviewing the bridge lease and contract language to determine whether United Bridge Partners has breached the agreement and what remedies—if any—are available. Commissioner Prince said the commission would consider federal statutory provisions related to tolling as part of its review and work with legal counsel and federal representatives as needed.

The meeting produced no immediate reversal of the fee change. Several speakers urged the commission to take aggressive legal action; some urged the city to seek a buyout or emergency measures to ensure free crossings for residents while the dispute is resolved. Commissioners said they will continue pressing for concrete answers from the operator and from the city’s legal team.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (multiple items listed on the consent agenda, including routine approvals): adopted by roll call (9 yes; 0 no). The commission approved the items listed on the consent agenda as presented.

- Failed: Proposed censure resolution (Commissioner Bernie Overshaw) requesting censure of President Steven Prince over alleged FOIA and equal‑protection concerns: motion to introduce read; no second; motion failed for lack of support.

- Approved: Professional services agreement with Allsup, Barclay and Blossom, P.C., for general legal and human resources legal services at $160 per hour. Motion: Commissioner Prince; second: Commissioner Rhunberg; adopted by roll call (unanimous). Commissioners discussed that the city has not recently put the city attorney contract to competitive bid and that the agreement is renewed periodically; staff said terminating the agreement would require seven days’ notice per the professional services terms.

- Approved: Collective bargaining agreement with Utility Workers Union of America Local 541, effective Feb. 4, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2027. Motion: Commissioner Prince; second: Commissioner Morris; adopted by roll call (unanimous). Commissioners discussed removal of redundant nondiscrimination language from the contract and confirmation that state law still governs equal‑opportunity obligations.

- Approved: Contract with Shaw Contracting (Bay City) for playground installation at Bigelow Park, $235,000. Motion: Commissioner DeWitt; second: Commissioner Rhunberg; adopted by roll call (unanimous). Bidders and tabulation were discussed; staff confirmed a tabulation error inflated one firm's entry and that federal Community Development Block Grant rules require awarding to the lowest responsive bid.

- Received/first reading and referred: Ordinance amendment to establish a Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission (chapter 78). Motion to receive: Commissioner DeWitt; second: Commissioner Coakley. The commission later amended the proposal so all advisory commissioners must be Bay City residents (motion by Commissioner Coakley; second by Commissioner Tenney) and the change was accepted for further consideration at second reading.

- Approved: Appointments to James Clements Airport Advisory Committee and Compensation Commission (several named appointments); motions adopted by roll call (unanimous).

- Approved: Resolution authorizing purchase power transactions not to exceed $9,682,593.50 (motion: Commissioner DeWitt; second: Commissioner Coakley; adopted by roll call). Staff explained the authorization purchases future years of power to reach the city’s hedge target (about 80% of planned coverage) and said locking forward prices is intended to guard against tariff volatility.

What the commission directed next

Commissioners asked staff and the city attorney to continue reviewing the operator’s contract for potential breaches and to provide the commission with follow‑up information, including the specific contract dates tied to the five‑year free crossing period and whether temporary or emergency protections can be put in place for affected residents. The city manager said staff will gather and share the legal opinion previously provided and pursue any additional clarifications requested by the commission.

The meeting closed with multiple residents urging faster action and with commissioners saying they will continue to press for answers from United Bridge Partners and to explore legal remedies if the opinion of counsel and subsequent review indicate violations of the lease or applicable law.