April 21, 2026 DDA Board Meeting

The April 21, 2026 meeting of the Garden City Downtown Development Authority (DDA) focused primarily on the upcoming retirement of the current Community Development Director, Matt Miller, scheduled for September 2026. The board discussed the recruitment process for a new director who would also serve as the DDA's executive director under a cost-sharing agreement with the city. The city manager sought input from the board on appointing a liaison to participate in candidate interviews and selection, emphasizing the importance of finding a qualified candidate with municipal experience and relevant certifications. The board agreed to appoint a liaison to assist in the hiring process and discussed the possibility of reverting to separate city and DDA director roles if a suitable candidate is not found by the next meeting in July. Additionally, the board approved a $38,000 budget for the annual chili cookoff event, increased volunteer compensation to $25 per hour, and approved sponsorships including a $200 ad for the Autos for Autism car show and a $300 sponsorship for the police officers' golf outing. The board also agreed to form a committee to review and recommend amendments to the DDA bylaws. No contract awards or formal procurement actions were taken, but the hiring process and budget approvals have procurement implications for future vendor and staffing decisions.