Benton Harbor City Commissioners have tabled a proposal to establish a racial equity authority so it can be more thoroughly reviewed. The proposal came from Commissioner Mary Alice Adams, who said at a Monday meeting the authority could improve the lives of residents.
“I’m asking this board to form an authority, by way or ordinance or resolution, a racial equity authority, and giving them powers to regulate what they would like to see done with any funds that we can put together,” Adams said.
Mayor Marcus Muhammad said what Adams was proposing amounted to the creation of a new department, which follows a different process than a sudden commission vote. Commissioner Sharon Henderson said now is not the time to create a new department.
“To add another department where we already don’t have enough people to run the stuff we’ve got now would be foolish,” Henderson said. “I would say continue the committee they already have, just like we have other committees, and find ways to support that particular committee.”
City Manager Ellis Mitchell said the city staff is stretched thin as it is. Mayor Muhammad said the matter could be tabled to the legislative committee for a thorough review. There were many strong objections from Commissioner Adams. She voted against tabling, along with Commissioners Ethel Clark Griffin and Juanita Henry.
