The water shutoff moratorium put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic in Benton Harbor is coming to an end.
At a Monday meeting, city commissioners heard with the pandemic now over and the work to replace lead water lines now finished, it’s time for people to start paying their water bills again. Mayor Marcus Muhammad said he doesn’t want anyone to get their service shut off, but the city needs to get paid for the water system to be maintained.
“We’re at around, I believe, 30% collection and 70% delinquents,” Muhammad said. “In order to maintain our water filtration system, it does cost money to run.”
Mayor Protem Duane Seats had some suggestions to help out residents.
“I just ask to go back to the door tags,” Seats said. “Give them 30 days from the application of the resolution. Work out payment arrangements that are feasible to a resident that can afford it.”
Assistant City Manager Alex Little said the city has to start collecting for water again because it’s gotten “deep in the hole in terms of cash flow.” Commissioner Edward Isom said the city has been using general fund money to shore up the utilities fund, adding if it hadn’t been for federal ARPA funds, he doesn’t know what it would have done.
Commissioners voted to set the end of the moratorium for May 2. Mayor Muhammad said residents will be notified and those who are behind should come to city hall to work out a payment arrangement.
