Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Benton Harbor commission approves minutes, accounts payable, two resolutions and holds closed personnel review
Summary
Commissioners approved the July 6 minutes, approved the accounts payable listing (6‑3), accepted an $84,848.85 EGLE youth employment grant, approved transit millage renewal ballot language, and entered a closed session for a city manager personnel review before returning with no action.
The Benton Harbor City Commission took several procedural and substantive actions at its meeting.
The commission opened by approving the regular meeting minutes from July 6, 2026, on a motion by Commissioner Sharon Henderson seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Turner. The minutes were approved on roll call.
On the accounts payable listing, the commission voted 6‑3 to approve the payment list. Recorded "no" votes were cast by Commissioner Henry, Commissioner Clark Griffin and Commissioner Fields; the other members voted yes.
Substantive resolutions approved included acceptance of an $84,848.85 EGLE Eagle Career and Workforce grant to expand the city’s summer youth employment program and authorization for the city manager to execute the grant terms. The commission also approved millage renewal ballot language for the local transit authority (confirmed in discussion to be a renewal with no increase).
The commission then moved into a closed session under section 8(a) of the Open Meetings Act at the written request of City Manager Alexander Little for a periodic personnel review. After reconvening, the commission reported it had evaluated the city manager and that no action would be taken at this time. The meeting adjourned following the closed session.
Votes at a glance: - Minutes (07/06/2026): motion carried (unanimous). - Accounts payable listing: passed 6 yes, 3 no (No: Commissioner Henry; Commissioner Clark Griffin; Commissioner Fields). - EGLE grant acceptance: passed by roll call (9 yes, 0 no). - Transit millage renewal ballot wording: approved unanimously; chair confirmed the language is a renewal with no tax increase. - Motion to enter closed session for city manager periodic review: approved by roll call; reconvened with no action taken.
What happens next: Staff will implement the grant per the manager’s direction, the clerk will prepare the approved millage language for ballot placement and staff will follow up on citizen maintenance and park safety requests.
