Bay City — Public comment at the Dec. 1 Bay City City Commission meeting ranged from calls to boycott local tolls to demands for state-level water-affordability programs and criticism of the commission’s appointment rules.

Jeff Reed opened the public-comment period with a satirical criticism of the Bay City Bridge Partners and tolling arrangements. Resident Paul Kleinau reviewed FOIA documents from a recent third-ward appointment process and said the commission’s point-based selection method produced results that rewarded strategic ranking rather than majority preference; he urged the commission to adopt appointment rules aligned with a ranked-choice amendment to ensure fairness.

On utilities, Sylvia Orduno and Roslyn Walker, visiting from Detroit-area advocacy groups, urged the commission to support pending statewide legislation to make water affordable for low-income households. Orduno told the commission the state program could bring roughly $2,000,000 to Bay City and cited local poverty statistics, saying utilities and housing affordability are linked policy concerns. Clergy member Alton McIntyre also urged adoption of a resolution for clean and affordable water for Michiganders.

Commissioner response: Commissioners thanked speakers, acknowledged the concerns raised about appointments and water costs, and noted staff follow-up or potential rule changes. Commissioner DeWitt said he and Commissioner Tenney are working on clearer appointment rules for next year to improve transparency.

Attribution: Quotes and summaries are drawn from the public-comment record in the meeting transcript.