Commission approves five‑year Oak Ridge Cemetery maintenance contract with sole bidder McMillan

The Bay City Commission approved a five‑year contract with McMillan Maintenance Services of Freeland to manage, maintain and operate Oak Ridge Cemetery. The city manager recommended the contract, which begins May 19, 2026, with a first‑year payment of $155,000 and scheduled annual increases in years two through five.

Commissioners discussed procurement details: purchasing staff reported McMillan was the only respondent to the solicitation and that many comparable municipalities either perform cemetery maintenance in‑house or use large, specialized contractors. Several commissioners expressed a preference for keeping more services local or bringing maintenance in‑house if feasible; city staff said they will evaluate the in‑house option during the five‑year term.

One commissioner questioned the five‑year length, noting a long term could lock the city in if better options appear; staff replied that the contractor has provided these services to the city for more than two decades and that bidding history has repeatedly produced McMillan as the sole bidder.

The motion to approve the contract was moved and seconded and passed on roll call (motion adopted). No dissent was recorded on the meeting record.

City staff committed to review options and compare the cost of contracting versus in‑house provision before the contract term expires.