Benton Harbor brownfield board approves payables, reimbursements and LBRF transfers; financial statements pass

The Benton Harbor Brownfield Redevelopment Authority approved a series of routine financial items and project reimbursements at its meeting, including the May financial statements, a payables listing, a developer reimbursement agreement and several tax-increment disbursements with a deposit into the Local Brownfield Revolving Fund.

Teresa reviewed the authority’s financial reports through May, noting the fiscal year ends June 30 and that year-to-date figures were close to projections. "Our current balance at Honor Credit Union, although we do have quite a bit of disbursements tonight, is $748,973.27," she reported, and said the money-market (LBRF) balance was about $194,577.

Members asked about line-item details, including a larger Fishbach invoice for consulting and retreat preparation of roughly $14,357.77. After clarifying which items are administrative payables versus project disbursements, the board approved the May financial statements by roll call (seven yes, one abstention — one member arrived late and abstained).

The board then voted 8–0 to approve the June payables listing as presented, pending any required action on new-business dispersements. In old business the authority approved a reimbursement agreement for Blueest Star LLC related to 306 12th Street, setting a maximum reimbursement already established in the board’s brownfield plan (the plan capped reimbursement at $100,000 plus applicable interest); the motion passed 8–0.

Under new business staff presented multiple tax-increment reimbursement memos for longstanding brownfield projects. The board approved a disbursement of $52,559.79 from 2024–2025 tax-increment revenues, accepted a notice of fulfilled disbursement for Blue Star 14 LLC, and approved a transfer of approximately $51,112.53 into the LBRF money-market account to support future projects — the motion carried 8–0.

Commissioner Mary Alice Adams and others pressed for more use of local contractors and clearer documentation of long-running projects, saying community benefit and transparency should guide reimbursements. Teresa said she added more detail to dispersement memos to help the board track projects that have been implemented incrementally over many years. The board adjourned after member comments on local cleanup and youth workforce ideas.