The Benton Harbor Brownfield Redevelopment Authority voted 4-1 Oct. 9 to approve a fee increase for Plant Moran, the authority’s financial services provider, raising the rate to $5.75 per unit effective Sept. 1.

Board members said the increase is modest and consistent with industry adjustments; Member Miguel Clark moved to approve the increase and Member Ivy Chandler seconded. The roll call vote recorded a 4-1 outcome, with Mary Alice Adams voting no and the other members voting yes.

Several members expressed discomfort with backdating the rate increase to Sept. 1 because the authority did not meet in September; staff and several members said the increase covers administrative costs for continuity of services and noted that Plant Moran provides accounting continuity the authority would otherwise need to procure. "I think that these rates are very reasonable by industry standards," said a member of city staff.

Members also discussed the possibility of the authority hiring an in-house financial person, which would require an overlap and procurement process. Staff warned that transitioning to an internal finance function would require months of overlap and an open procurement or RFQ process and might not save money in the short term.

The board directed staff to include the new rate in the vendor agreement and to circulate the adjusted invoice for the board’s information; staff said an August/September invoice dated Aug. 29 covered July services and that the new rate will appear on subsequent invoices.

The motion passed 4-1; staff will return with the executed agreement and an updated payables schedule.