A shake-up is coming for the financial leadership of Benton Harbor. Joe Harris has been voted out as Emergency Financial Manager of the city and a replacement has been chosen.
WYLD Marketing Group's Tony Saunders II has been chosen to replace Harris. Saunders has also worked as Chief of Staff for Detroit City Councilwoman Saunteel Jenkins and Senior Advisor for Detroit City Council President Charles Pugh.
"Mr. Harris made many difficult but necessary decisions and implemented a number of measures to
address the financial crisis in Benton Harbor. We thank him for his work," said Benton Harbor Deputy Treasurer Fraser. "However, while much has been done in an effort to return fiscal stability to Benton Harbor, the city remains in a financial emergency and this is an appropriate time to transition in a new direction for the city. We expect Tony Saunders will work collaboratively with city officials, residents, and others to move the city closer to a return to local control."
Harris had been appointed as EFM by Governor Snyder under the old financial manager law. That law was repealed last November and replaced with a law giving cities some more control over their financial futures.
Melanie Yuill is in Benton Harbor this evening and will have more on this developing story tonight on FOX28 News at 10.
