Facing huge financial problems, voters in Benton Harbor will be asked to pass a millage renewal in a special election this spring.
Last fall voters rejected a 10-mill renewal which pays for police, fire and other city services. That left the city with a $1.4 million dollar deficit and opened the possibility of not having a police department.
In response the city levied a special tax assessment against property owners. But Benton Harbor's new state appointed Emergency Financial Manager says having a special election to re-instate the original 10-mills is better than having to re-order a special levy – and could potentially raise more money.
This special election is Tuesday, May 7. If the millage renewal passes, the special levy will be dropped.
City officials plan on holding several educational meetings and going door-to-door to try and encourage people to approve the millage.
