Members of the Benton Harbor Brownfield Redevelopment Authority spent part of the Oct. 9 meeting debating how board expenses should be handled and whether the board needs its own credit card or clearer line items in its budget.

Therese explained the current practice: the city can place approved board expenses, such as conference registrations or travel, on the city credit card if the board approves the expenditure in advance. "It's the same process as used for commissioners and the mayor when they go on trips right now," a city official said during the meeting.

Some board members said they prefer keeping Brownfield finances more separate from city accounts so the authority can clearly track its own expenditures. Member Mary Alice Adams urged the board to consider a separate line item in the budget to cover travel and minor administrative expenses so board members would not need to use personal funds and then seek reimbursement.

Therese told the board that reimbursements are still the default practice and that the city will accommodate credit-card purchases when necessary, provided there is prior approval and sufficient time for procurement. Staff recommended the board consider revising policy if members want a formal, separate approach.

No formal vote was taken. The item was listed as a communication and staff said they would add it to a future agenda if the board wants to pursue a formal policy change or a request for a separate account.

Board members asked staff to bring back concrete options — a dedicated board credit card, a separate bank account, or clearer budget line items — for discussion.