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Residents and editor press Bay City commission over tolling, billing errors by Bridge Partners
Summary
Public commenters, including Daily News editor Dave Clark, criticized Bay City Bridge Partners for billing errors, charging out-of-area drivers and sending notices to deceased residents; the commission debated and approved a two-minute extension for a speaker and said it would research rules around automated/third-party readings during public input
At the beginning of public comment, residents raised complaints about Bay City Bridge Partnerstolling and billing practices. An attendee reading a column and Dave Clark, editor of the Daily News, criticized the private firm for sending toll notices beyond Bay City and to deceased residents, and urged city leaders to explore legally ending the contract if the company remains unaccountable.
Dave Clark said, "Bay City Bridge Partners takes a toll on the living and the dead," and described multiple billing errors and a lack of responsiveness. Clark said the company began tolling Liberty Bridge in June 2023 and Independence Bridge on Jan. 1, 2025, and said residents have paid between $2 and $5 per crossing with higher charges for those without transponders. He described community organizing and an upcoming protest by the Saginaw Bay Democratic Socialists of America.
Commissioners paused to decide whether to allow the speaker extra time after the column was read by an automated voice. Commissioner Runberg moved to provide two additional minutes for the speaker; Commissioner Kubit seconded. Commissioner Coakley objected on the ground that a preset/automated voice could have been prepared for the standard five minutes. The roll-call vote to extend the speakers time passed (the transcript records the outcome as "Six" in favor). The mayor said staff would research rules for third-party or automated readings during public comment going forward.
