Downtown Development Authority outlines FY2026 budget, council raises questions about reserves and outreach spending

Sophia Mays, downtown development authority administrator, presented the DDA's fiscal year 2026 operating budget and said the authority expects total operating spending of $728,450 while maintaining roughly $785,000 in reserves.

The presentation detailed staffing, program priorities and anticipated revenues. Mays told the council, "I am here to present the fiscal year 26 budget for the DDA." She said the DDA will staff two full-time positions and one part-time social media assistant and highlighted priorities including downtown parking, streetscape and wayfinding, a planter program and a redesigned grant structure.

The DDA budget document anticipates a $23,000 increase in mill-levy revenue, to about $487,000 in annual collections, and a small expected reduction in interest income. The authority proposed $100,000 for board strategic projects, $45,000 for…