City advances 2026 sanitary sewer service agreement with joint wastewater plant to full commission; officials say no rate increases

Benton Harbor officials reviewed a 2026 sanitary sewer service agreement with the joint wastewater treatment plant and agreed to send the item to the full commission for final action.

Assistant City Manager Tiffany Moore told the commission the agreement contains no substantive changes compared with prior years and that it is the 2026 iteration of the standing service arrangement. Commissioner Hillery asked whether the agreement included rate increases for the city; Manager Little replied, "There are not," and explained that a matching change for a partner — extending a term to 33 years — was intended to align with possible long‑term financing arrangements.

Moore clarified that a related separate interlocal previously considered between the city and Benton Township concerned a different set of commitments; this 2026 agreement is the contract with the joint wastewater treatment plant. Commissioners did not raise substantive objections and agreed to advance the resolution and authorization for the city manager to execute the 2026 agreement to the full commission for final consideration.

What’s next: Staff will place the sewer service agreement on the full commission agenda for final action.