Bay City adds water-affordability resolution to agenda, commissioners refer it to staff for review

Commissioner Runberg introduced a proposed “Bay City resolution water affordability December 2025” at the Dec. 15 Bay City Commission meeting and asked that it be added to the agenda. The resolution, as read aloud to the commission, urged support for a package of state bills (Senate Bills 248–256) that would cap water charges for households below 200% of the federal poverty level and provide shutoff protections; the text presented included estimates of local households at risk and references to a $5,000,000 statewide appropriation for water assistance.

Commissioner Tenney seconded adding the resolution to the agenda. The clerk called the roll on the amendment and the motion to add the resolution passed on the amendment vote (recorded in the meeting as 7 yes, 1 no).

During public input, speakers from the People’s Water Board Coalition testified in favor of the resolution, describing personal experience with water shutoffs and urging the commission to back statewide legislation to prevent traumatic outcomes when residents lose water service. Multiple commissioners said they supported the principle but asked staff and legal to review funding mechanisms and the bill language before taking a formal position. Concerns included uncertainty about how a statewide program would be funded locally and whether surcharges or other mechanics could affect city ratepayers.

After discussion, Commissioner Runberg moved to table the resolution and refer it to staff for an analysis of impacts and next steps; the motion was seconded and the commission referred the item to staff. No final vote on the substantive resolution was taken that night.

The item will return for future consideration after staff prepares an impact review, the city manager said.