Bay City will begin charging a 3.5% credit card processing fee starting January to offset rising costs, a decision approved in November by the City Council. Historically, the city absorbed these fees, which have surged to $220,000 annually. Residents can avoid the surcharge by using cash, checks, money orders, or bank drafts. The city will notify residents until January, emphasizing the change doesn’t remove free payment options. Local leaders noted that passing on fees has become standard to manage costs, though reactions remain mixed.