Commission sustains mayoral veto of funding for Breaking Bread Village amid transparency concerns

Bay City residents and commissioners debated whether taxpayer money should cover a series of community conversations organized by Breaking Bread Village. During public input, Denise Davidson urged the commission not to override the mayor’s veto of Commissioner Tenney’s resolution to allocate $9,162.50 to pay unmet costs for two additional Breaking Bread Village sessions.

At the dais, commissioners discussed legal advice the mayor had received and concerns about transparency and whether the program had been formally approved by the full commission before public funds were proposed. Commissioner Runberg said the organization brings specialized expertise but supported the mayoral veto because a contract and clearer process should have been established in advance. Commissioner Tenney acknowledged he had not brought the initial proposal to the full commission and said he would continue working to secure outside funding; other commissioners said they were satisfied outside funding would be found.

The clerk called a roll to consider whether to pass the vetoed resolution notwithstanding the mayor’s veto. The recorded vote produced nine "no" votes (Zanetti, Dewitt, Runberg, Charlebois, Morris, Cubitt, Cochley, Doyle, Tenney), and the mayor’s veto was sustained.

Commissioners stressed the difference between supporting the program’s goals and the procedural/legal concerns about using city funds without prior contract or commission approval. Several speakers and commissioners said Breaking Bread Village will be or has been compensated through alternative, non-taxpayer funding sources and that two previously provided sessions have already been paid.

The commission did not override the veto; the matter may be revisited if a formal contract or alternative funding arrangement is presented.