The city of Benton Harbor is facing a slight cash crunch, in part due to the cost of insurance going up.

Speaking to the city Personnel and Finance Committee this week, City Manager Alex Little said when the current budget was drafted, it anticipated a surplus for the year of $44,000. However, the city’s insurance costs have since gone from $500,000 to $700,000 for the year. He said adjustments are now being made.

“We’re making every other effort we can to trim costs where we can and still try and and accomplish the things that we’ve got to do,” Little said.

Little said another problem is that the fees the city charges residents for things like trash pickup and construction permits are outdated and too low.

“That is why it’s so critical and crucial that we do the things that we’ve been talking about, such as adjusting these fees related to building and construction, adjusting these fees related to trash pickup, and every other service that we provide.”

Little said Benton Township, for example, charges more for trash pickup than Benton Harbor. He added the amount of trash the city collects for residents is larger than what’s offered in many municipalities.

Little said commissioners will have to address the trash collection fees while he works to ensure the city stays within its budget.