Benton Harbor commission approves payables, amid commissioner demand for invoice access; three contracts authorized

The Benton Harbor City Commission approved the city’s accounts-payable listing but recorded two dissenting votes after 3rd Ward Commissioner Juanita Henry said she would not back the list without seeing invoices and vouchers. The commission also authorized three contracts: a $13,350 contract for dead-tree and limb removal at 17 sites, a $779,505 water-valving and system project funded by an EPA grant (about $800,000 total), and a $900,573 contract for roof, window and masonry repairs at the Bobo Brazil Community Center.

Henry said she routinely asks for invoice and voucher documentation so she can understand each line item and make informed votes. “And I just can't vote for this AP list the way it's set up and the lack of questions being answered on it,” 3rd Ward Commissioner Juanita Henry said. She repeated a request that finance provide vouchers and invoices rather than short explanations.

City Manager Alex Little told the commission that producing copies of invoices and vouchers requires additional staff time to locate, copy and assemble records. “Basically, what it amounts to is a considerable amount of…