Residents allege irregularities in fence contract award; council hears complaints

At the Feb. 23 Coldwater City Council meeting, multiple speakers raised concerns about a recent fence-repair contract award and asked the council to review the procurement process.

Mike Parker of 47 Stevens Street said he reviewed the council's video of a prior meeting and contacted vendors he understood were listed as bidders. He told the council two named vendors told him they had not been contacted and said, "Something's not right with that because during that meeting... the bid was awarded to Justice Spence... for $103,000." Parker said he was not making an accusation but urged the council to investigate vetting procedures.

Dan Corwin, who also addressed the meeting, said he viewed the same video and criticized city decisions related to development. Corwin alleged potential conflicts of interest involving City Manager Keith Baker's roles with the Branch County Economic Growth Alliance and other development projects; Corwin asked the council to consider those overlaps.

Council did not vote or take formal action on the procurement claims during the meeting. City staff did not provide a rebuttal on the record at the hearing; the mayor pro tem indicated time limits for public comment. Residents asked that the council review records and consider greater transparency for bidding processes.