Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad has called a press conference for Tuesday to speak about the implications of a city commission vote this week blocking the transfer of income tax dollars into the general fund for government operations.
As we’ve reported, City Manager Alex Little has warned without that emergency infusion of cash, day to day functions of government can’t be supported, while Mayor Muhammad warns it could mean a government shutdown. But Mayor Pro Tem Shaquille Turner, who was one of the five commissioners to vote against the transfer on Monday, tells us he’s merely seeking transparency from the manager.
“We did not vote to not pay our city staff or to vote our city bills,” Turner said. “What we voted on was not to continue to move city income tax dollars without an actual line item presented to all commissioners.”
Turner says he and the others who voted against the transfer just want a detailed explanation of how the funds will be used. He says he asked for that and never got it.
“We’re not neglecting our city at all. We’re saying we’re holding the city manager in the mirror because they communicate all the time. Please provide the details of the $420,000.”
Turner adds commissioners last year also asked for a detailed explanation of a previous income tax fund transfer and it was never provided. He says if the city income tax is going to be used to support regular operations and not infrastructure work, as it was intended, then there needs to be more transparency.
“The city manager better get it together and provide us a full detail. Right now. The state of Michigan has not even seen a debt elimination plan from our city. That is very disheartening and very distasteful, and I want to see it. And I’m not being controlled. I’m not being arrogant. I’m making sure I safeguard our community in its best interest. We’ve got to stop playing with people’s money and make sure that we do what’s right by people.”
Turner tells us he’s requested a special meeting for the matter to be resolved. It’s scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.
“If the city manager and the mayor is ready to talk, the five commissioners who voted no, we have already come to the table.”
