The Michigan Treasury Department in 2009 sent a team to look into the city's finances.
The team's report was a long list of mismanagement to the point that budgets were "effectively meaningless as a financial management tool."
The city was $10 million under-funded in its pension fund and increasing budget deficits.
In April 2010, Democratic Governor Jennifer Granholm appointed Joseph Harris as Emergency Financial Manager.
City staff has been reduced by 30 to 70.

Harris was given expanded powers under a new law signed in March 2011 by Republican Governor Rick Snyder.
Harris was previously the chief financial officer for the city of Detroit.
On April 14, 2011, Harris suspended the decision-making powers of Benton Harbor's elected city officials, who can hold meetings but are not allowed to govern.
The Michigan AFL-CIO president called the move "sad news for democracy in Michigan", but at least one city official, City Commissioner Bryan Joseph, was in favor of it, saying the city had been mismanaged for decades.

On January 4, 2012, city commissioners Marcus Muhammad and MaryAlice Adams held a press conference, where they stated that if there is still an emergency financial manager administering the city when Benton Harbor hosts the Senior PGA Championship in May, an "Occupy PGA movement should sit in on the golf greens and driving ranges in protest."
 Occupy PGA did hold protest marches on multiple days during the tournament, but did not disrupt the tournament itself
On January 11, 2013, the Emergency Financial Assistance Loan Board (ELB) voted to replace Joseph Harris as the Emergency Financial Manager (EFM) for the city of Benton Harbor.
On February 1, 2013, the ELB would then appoint Tony R. Saunders II as the youngest Successor-Emergency Financial Manager for the city of Benton Harbor.

Library service for the city is provided by the Benton Harbor Public Library.

The town has a police department.
The Michigan Treasury Department in 2009 sent a team to look into the city's finances. The team's report was a long list of mismanagement to the point that budgets were "effectively meaningless as a financial management tool." The city was $10 million under-funded in its pension fund and increasing budget deficits. In April 2010, Democratic Governor Jennifer Granholm appointed Joseph Harris as Emergency Financial Manager. City staff has been reduced by 30 to 70.
Harris was given expanded powers under a new law signed in March 2011 by Republican Governor Rick Snyder. Harris was previously the chief financial officer for the city of Detroit. On April 14, 2011, Harris suspended the decision-making powers of Benton Harbor's elected city officials, who can hold meetings but are not allowed to govern. The Michigan AFL-CIO president called the move "sad news for democracy in Michigan", but at least one city official, City Commissioner Bryan Joseph, was in favor of it, saying the city had been mismanaged for decades.
On January 4, 2012, city commissioners Marcus Muhammad and MaryAlice Adams held a press conference, where they stated that if there is still an emergency financial manager administering the city when Benton Harbor hosts the Senior PGA Championship in May, an "Occupy PGA movement should sit in on the golf greens and driving ranges in protest."  Occupy PGA did hold protest marches on multiple days during the tournament, but did not disrupt the tournament itself
On January 11, 2013, the Emergency Financial Assistance Loan Board (ELB) voted to replace Joseph Harris as the Emergency Financial Manager (EFM) for the city of Benton Harbor. On February 1, 2013, the ELB would then appoint Tony R. Saunders II as the youngest Successor-Emergency Financial Manager for the city of Benton Harbor.
Library service for the city is provided by the Benton Harbor Public Library.
The town has a police department.
Benton Harbor, Michigan