Commission approves accounts payable; commissioners press for invoice transparency and resident help on an $11,000 water bill

The Benton Harbor City Commission approved the accounts payable listing after commissioners questioned several line items tied to outside legal work and raised concerns about constituent follow-up.

Commissioner Fields asked whether recent line items included invoices from outside counsel. City Manager Little confirmed the city had received invoices and provided a rough estimate: earlier outstanding invoices were about $134,000 and recent invoices approaching $34,000 bring the total near $178,000. The mayor noted the city general fund was absorbing some of those costs because the insurer had not paid.

During the accounts-payable discussion Commissioner Sharon Henderson raised a separate concern on behalf of a long-term resident who reported an $11,000 water bill and wanted transparency about how utility questions were handled by commissioners and staff. The chair and City Attorney Seneca explained that privacy rules limit discussing another person's specific utility bill in public and recommended that the resident contact City Hall or the city manager for assistance. "People can call and ask about the policy," City Attorney Seneca said, adding that details about an individual bill are private and better handled directly with staff.

Commissioners urged that residents receive callbacks and written follow-up when they seek help; Commissioner Kennard specifically requested assurances that staff respond when residents ask for information. The roll-call vote on the accounts-payable listing carried with one recorded 'No' (Commissioner Henry) and the others voting 'Yes.'

The commission asked staff to provide copies of the legal invoices requested by commissioners and to improve response and follow-up protocols for resident inquiries. No budget re-authorization was taken at the meeting; the clerk noted the accounts-payable listing was approved as presented.