BAY CITY, MI - The Bay City Commission appointed Mark T. Zanotti to fill the vacant 5th Ward commissioner seat following interviews with six candidates on Tuesday, Aug. 25.
Zanotti, 72, who has served on the city's board of review and previously on the Bay City Public Schools Board of Education, received the highest score in the commission's ranking of candidates. The commission voted 5-0 to appoint him to serve through December 2026.
During his interview, Zanotti emphasized his experience in community service, including youth ministry and Little League programs. He highlighted the importance of representing ward residents while maintaining a citywide perspective.
"You want to represent the people in your ward, but I also think there's a bigger obligation than that because the city's made up of wards. It's not ward against ward," Zanotti said. "I think working with fellow commissioners, respecting them, and trying to come up with a vision that we all share."
Zanotti identified population stabilization and growth as key priorities for Bay City, along with addressing infrastructure needs like bridges and housing concerns. He noted his familiarity with city operations through his board of review service, which meets to handle property tax matters.
In his application for the position, Zanotti said he has lived in Bay City's 5th ward for 45 years.
Zanotti said that the qualifications that make him a strong candidate are that he cares about his community, understands budgets and believes in working together to solve problems.
The commission interviewed six candidates after one applicant, Melyssa J. Secor, withdrew from consideration. Each candidate was asked 10 questions during 15-minute interviews. One candidate was interviewed remotely.
Other candidates interviewed included Andrew Turner, Paul Young, Kimberley K. Urban, Kelsi Myers, and Matthew A. Sous.
The commissioners then ranked their choices from one to six, with Zanotti emerging as the top selection.