[4] Bay County comprises the Bay City, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area and is included in the Saginaw-Midland-Bay City Combined Statistical Area in the Mid/Central Michigan region.

In 1854, a bill introduced to the state legislature to create Bay County was defeated by a small majority.

The matter was put before all the voters of Saginaw and Midland counties and was soundly defeated.

The bill passed by the legislature included phrasing, which was deliberately included by the Bay City lawyer Chester H. Freeman, that allowed Bay County to claim ratification.

In the winter of 1858, Freeman secured passage of a bill in the legislature that would have confirmed the organization of Bay County.

Freeman had represented the defendant and prepared arguments, but became incapacitated due to illness.

At the request of Freeman's wife, Colonel William M. Fenton argued the case before the Michigan Supreme Court, with the result that Bay County was declared a fully organized county.

[5] During World War II, shipyards in Bay County were used to produce US Destroyers and missile vessels.

The Pinconning River and Saganing Creek drain the northern portion.

The Saginaw Bay of Lake Huron lies to the east, giving the county its name.

North of Bay City, M-13 follows a parallel route a few miles to the east.

In addition, the County Executive must submit to the Board of Commissioners a recommended budget each year.

The county government operates the jail, maintains rural roads, operates the major local courts, keeps files of deeds and mortgages, maintains vital records, administers public health regulations, and participates with the state in the provision of welfare and other social services.

The county Board of Commissioners controls the budget but has only limited authority to make laws or ordinances.

[18] In Michigan, most local government functions — police and fire, building and zoning, tax assessment, street maintenance, etc.