Benton Harbor City Commissioners are considering a new policy to govern the awarding of contracts. At a meeting this week, they heard from the Michigan Laborers District Council’s Robert Joerg, who said 17 municipalities around the state have such Responsible Contracting Policies to ensure when projects are awarded, the right contractors are chosen.
“It increases transparency with how the city spends its dollars on construction projects,” Joerg said. “So, there’s building trust with community members. It is a policy that helps prioritize the values of the city, such as local contractors that pay a living wage, contractors that employ folks who are from here locally.”
Joerg said the policy would protect the city from bad contractors who cut corners. Commissioner Mary Alice Adams called for such a policy to be implemented right away, saying recent work to replace lead water lines left something to be desired. Commissioner Juanita Henry also wanted quick action, saying the matter has already been reviewed by committee. Mayor Pro Tem Duane Seats, who was chairing the meeting, said it will appear on the commission’s next meeting agenda.
