Residents split over Freebee as commission weighs transit cuts

Four residents spoke during public comment on the transit discussion, offering sharply different perspectives. Cameron Mizuchi, who lives near the Don Ce‑Sar, criticized outside providers expanding on taxpayers' dollars and urged the commission to consider local companies first. "If we're gonna give any money to anybody, we should have from day one... look right here in our own community first," Mizuchi said.

Bonnie Arnold, who has lived on the beach for 50 years, defended Freebee as a safety and door‑to‑door service for residents: "Freebee is a beautiful thing. It keeps people, like, basically safe. They can call and be done door to door." Vendor‑side comments urged careful contracting and insurance oversight: one speaker with procurement experience praised operational discipline but warned the city must vet insurance and liability carefully before selecting a contractor.

Other commenters said Freebee is costly and that current fiscal constraints make subsidizing the service untenable; some suggested the city consider a smaller pilot or needs-based pass program instead of a broad subsidy.