Benton Harbor appointed a new Emergency Financial Manager (EFM), Tony Saunders II, on Friday after officials decided more needed to be done to restore stability to the city.
Saunders will replace the city’s current EFM, Joseph Harris, starting Feb. 1.
Deputy Treasurer Roger Fraser thanked Harris for his work in Benton Harbor, but said “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.”
The board says it expects Saunders to work with city officials and residents to move toward greater local control over its financial situation.
Saunders spent the last nine months working in Highland Park in an advisory position for the city’s treasury. Prior to his current partnership at WYLD Marketing Group, Saunders served as Chief of Staff for Detroit Councilwoman Saunteel Jenkins.
