During the Bay City Council meeting on January 28, 2025, significant discussions centered around proposed revisions to the city charter, which are set to be voted on in a special election this May. The meeting began with an invocation led by Councilman Blake Finley, followed by the approval of the agenda without any changes.

Public comments revealed strong community concern regarding the charter revisions. Resident Allison Sleep expressed her surprise at the lack of a charter review commission to gather public input on the proposed changes. She emphasized the importance of transparency and community involvement in the decision-making process, particularly regarding the residency requirement for the city manager, which has been a contentious issue in past charter reviews. Sleep noted that the current city manager, Scotty Jones, does not meet this requirement, raising suspicions that the proposed changes may be an attempt to circumvent the will of the voters who established the requirement in 2019.

Another resident, Mike Griffith, who previously chaired a charter review commission, echoed these concerns. He highlighted the historical context of the residency requirement discussions and criticized the council for not appointing a review commission to facilitate public input. Griffith argued that the council's approach undermines the democratic principles of transparency and voter engagement, suggesting that the proposed changes reflect the council's will rather than the community's.

The meeting underscored a growing sentiment among residents about the need for greater transparency in city governance. As the council moves forward with plans for the special election, the community's call for more inclusive processes raises questions about the future of civic engagement in Bay City. The council's next steps will be crucial in addressing these concerns and restoring public trust.