Jasper Downtown Development Authority | September 28, 2026

The Jasper Downtown Development Authority meeting on September 28, 2026, reviewed organizational structure, budget planning, downtown projects, and events. The board discussed a 2027 budget request that includes $29,000 in city hotel/motel-tax support, $8,000 for signage and placemaking, and $5,000 for a proposed Downtown Dollars program; a $3,000 contract and a potential private-citizen grant were also mentioned, though the transcript does not clearly identify their scope or recipient. These were budget discussions, not recorded approvals. No contract award, vendor selection, or procurement vote was identified; the recorded votes were to adopt the agenda and adjourn.

Brandon Douglas explained that city-funded staff time could not be assigned to a separate, autonomous Main Street nonprofit, which would need its own staffing and funding; the DDA remains a city component unit, and city contributions can include hotel/motel-tax funds. The board also discussed whether to continue Downtown Live events given expenses and lower attendance, with community feedback planned for a November 4 meeting. Other updates covered ongoing murals, downtown business recruitment, historic storytelling, and Christmas event planning.