City manager warns of widespread illegal dumping; board hears finance report and possible Brownfield responses

City Manager Mr. Little told the Benton Harbor Brownfield Redevelopment Authority that the city is grappling with a surge in illegal dumping and said staff lack the funds to pick up the volume of trash, especially in neighborhood alleys. He also said crews discovered recent damage to cemetery trees and that cameras have captured evidence of criminal activity.

"We're getting a lot of discussion about illegal dumping on lots of alleys and stuff that, frankly, we just don't have the money to get it picked up and disposed of," Mr. Little said.

Board members proposed several responses: targeted camera deployment at known hotspots, placing dumpsters in each ward at intervals to help residents dispose of bulky items, periodic burn days for yard waste, and financial incentives or rewards for reporting illegal dumpers. One member cautioned that dumpsters or cameras alone would not fully solve the problem and urged creative, sustained approaches. Another member referenced past costs: the city once spent about $45,000 to remove a large pile and has seen per‑ton disposal costs rise significantly.

Treasurer reported a checking account balance of $777,462.07 and an LBRF (money market) balance of $171,810. Year‑to‑date property tax revenue collected is a little over $282,000; monthly expenses exceeded revenue for March, which the treasurer described as normal ebb and flow given periodic tax increment receipts. The board approved the financial statements (vote recorded in the minutes) and payables for routine invoices.

The board discussed whether Brownfield funds could be used for certain clean‑up activities and asked staff to research eligible uses and potential partnerships to support neighborhood cleanup efforts.