Benton Harbor City Commissioners have balked at approving a $40,000 expenditure for two splash pads.
At a meeting this week, commissioners considered a resolution authorizing $9,000 for a new sign at Morton Park and the $40,000 for the splash pads, but little information was provided to them. When prompted, City Manager Alex Little said he doesn’t yet have a vendor or a final cost for the pads, adding the $40,000 is just his estimate. He said one of the splash pads would be at Union Park, but the location of the second one is still undecided.
Mayor Marcus Muhammad said he needs more concrete information.
“I mean, I certainly support the idea of the splash pads, but I really would like to learn a little more about exactly what we would be purchasing and what would be the actual cost,” Muhammad said.
Commissioner Ron Singleton said with the nearest splash pad in St. Joseph, young people in Benton Harbor should have their own closer to home.
“If there’s some type of — which we read in the papers and news and stuff — there’s some type of disturbance, something that goes on, who get to blame? It’s our kids,” Singleton said.
Commissioner Ethel Clark Griffin said the city shouldn’t be purchasing splash pads at all when it’s trying to figure out a way to help the homeless ahead of the winter.
In the end, Mayor Pro Tem Duane Seats proposed splitting the two items in the resolution — the sign for Morton Park and the splash pads — and approving the sign. Commissioners voted unanimously to do so.
Little may be back later with more specifics on the splash pads.
