Bay City Commission interviews four finalists for city manager; candidates stress bridges, infrastructure and communication

Bay City’s City Commission conducted interviews with four finalists for city manager on May 26, hearing a brief presentation and a round of questions for each candidate before the commission said it will discuss candidates at a June 8 meeting.

Consultant James Votrino opened the session and outlined the interview format, saying department-head feedback collected earlier in the day would be shared with commissioners and reminding the public there is a QR-code feedback form that closes "tomorrow, late in the day." Votrino said the commission opted to post a recording rather than livestream the interviews so every candidate faced the same questions.

Each finalist emphasized different experience but returned repeatedly to common priorities. Candidate Brian highlighted two decades in local government and said his focus would be to align staff with commission priorities while using grant-seeking and strategic planning to tackle major capital needs. "My mantra is no surprises for the commission," Brian said, arguing regular, digestible communications and shared priorities are essential for effective decision-making.

Al, a candidate with a higher-education administrative background, stressed data-driven management and rapid community visibility if selected. He told commissioners he would prioritize housing, growth and a cautious transition from the long-serving outgoing manager to preserve organizational stability.

Rick Heyman, who framed his candidacy around deep local ties, communications experience and municipal leadership, said Bay City must broaden conversations about the four bridges and other infrastructure needs while seeking financing and developer incentives that include community benefits. "This is my home," Heyman said, underscoring local investment as a motivation for his application.

Shannon Ullivaugh described 22 years in municipal government, including crisis-response work in larger cities, and said rebuilding trust requires consistent presence, clearer public information and measurable goals. Ullivaugh proposed cleaning the city website and developing a strategic plan with timelines and budgets so priorities are not merely aspirational.

Commissioners asked all candidates about community engagement, labor relations, recruitment and retention, budgeting and prioritization. Candidates recommended a mix of short-term triage for urgent safety or infrastructure failures and long-term strategic plans tied to finance forecasts; several discussed using pre‑designed housing plans or developer concessions to accelerate neighborhood projects and spoke to experience negotiating or managing unionized environments.

The commission took a brief break between candidates and will meet June 8 to review candidates and consider next steps. Consultant James Votrino said public feedback received through the QR code and any written comments would be compiled and provided to commissioners; he also said the city would post the recorded interviews later the same evening.

A procedural motion to excuse Commissioners DeWitt and Renberg was moved and seconded at the start of the work session and was granted without objection, establishing a quorum for the interviews.