Benton Harbor City Commissioners have approved a budget for the next fiscal year, although it’s likely to be changed. During a Wednesday meeting, the commission considered the budget that was laid out to it earlier this week that would dip into the city’s fund balance. A big question is employee pay increases. The commission approved the plan as presented Wednesday with the understanding it can be reworked later. Commissioner Juanita Henry explained.
“All of our eyes are open to this budget,” Henry said. “We can approve what we’ve got now, we can cancel some of the things that we don’t really feel comfortable with, and then come back and review it in committee. But we have to do something.”
The budget presented on Monday anticipated $670,000 more in expenses than revenues. Due to a deadline from the state to have something approved, the commission approved the plan. However, the document will be further reviewed later.
