BAY CITY -- “I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes for all the tea in China,” said one Bay City resident to city leaders Monday night. “Maybe we should take and layoff some commissioners to keep our (public safety) protection,” said another.
Residents were furious over the nearly $55,000 in pay raises or job reclassifications that went to some workers as others were asked to do more with less in, 11 percent cuts across the board. That was on top of six firefighters that lost work last year due to budget constraints.
Yet in a mildly dramatic moment, City Manager Robert Belleman apologized after taking heat for the raises; the most controversial of which went to Deputy Manager Steven Black, totaling $7,200.
“I’d like to apologize to the citizens of Bay City and to the members of this Commission if I unnecessarily caused you grief or embarrassment,” he said.
Before a packed City Hall, Commission President Chris Shannon announced a suspension of reclassifications or raises for non-union workers, but acknowledged union negotiations will continue under the questionable policy.
City leaders will continue to look for areas to cut in the budget as fears over future staffing reductions loom.
