Benton Harbor City Commissioners have taken action to step up code enforcement in the community.
At a meeting this week, the city commission approved a new fee schedule for violations and amended the code of ordinances on buildings. The motion states the city’s fees for building permits and other inspections are out of date and not aligned with surrounding municipalities. This updates them.
City Attorney Sarah Senica wanted residents who are cited for violations to know they should contact city hall with any issues rather than ignoring them.
“If these tickets go all the way to court, they’re often missing your tickets, and if you don’t show up for court, you can be arrested,” Senica said. “Right now, currently, I’m actually dealing with some people who had tickets in 2020. In 2021, they were picked up on warrants and they’re in court now for tickets that are older.”
City Manager Alex Little said there are new stickers for residents who need trash that doesn’t fit in their bins to be picked up.
“The improved fee schedule regarding refuse pickup and so forth is being implemented,” Little said. “The stickers have been prepared and are available for sale.”
Little asked those throwing away a mattress to make sure it’s in a mattress cover.
The commission’s action Monday updates the fees charged for things like sign permits, at $75, rental registrations, now $250, and mowing abatements, at $250.
The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety has recently placed a new emphasis on code enforcement in order to reduce blight around the community.
