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Harbor Springs DDA keeps meeting schedule, tightens rules for committee chairs and adopts 2026 budget
Summary
At its Jan. 14 meeting the Harbor Springs DDA retained its regular meeting time, voted to require that promotions and downtown enhancement committee chairs be eligible DDA board members (with an exception for short-term event committees), amended its special-meeting notice rules, and adopted the 2026 DDA budget.
The Harbor Springs Downtown Development Authority convened at 8 a.m. on Jan. 14 and completed several routine organizational tasks, including retaining the board's regular meeting schedule and approving the 2026 DDA budget.
Gail Brown, who will remain DDA chair, opened the meeting and led roll call before members approved the consent agenda. The board voted to keep regular meetings on the second Wednesday of each month at 8:00 a.m.
Members then confirmed officers for 2026. The board voted to retain the current leadership; Gail Brown will remain chair and Cora Smith will remain vice chair.
A motion that drew more extended discussion would change who may chair two standing DDA committees. The board approved an amendment to the DDA policies and procedures requiring that the promotions committee and the downtown enhancement committee be chaired by persons eligible to serve on the DDA (residents of downtown or those with a downtown business interest). The board also agreed on a stated exception: short-term event committees — such as the IceFest event team — may be chaired by non-board volunteers who have the expertise to run the event.
Separately, the board approved edits to the DDA procedures manual clarifying special-meeting notice and calling authority. The manual will be revised so special meetings use the 24-hour notice standard described elsewhere in DDA documents and to state that special meetings may be called by the chair, by three board members, or by the city council.
Finally, the board adopted the DDA's 2026 annual budget; members noted the budget had already been approved by city council and this step provided the board's final local approval.
Votes at a glance - Consent agenda: approved (voice vote). - Continue meeting time at second Wednesday, 8:00 a.m.: approved (voice vote). - Officer elections (retain current chair and vice chair): approved (voice vote). - Motion requiring promotions & enhancement committee chairs be DDA-eligible, with event-committee exception: approved (voice vote). - Procedures manual amendments (special-meeting notice/calling authority): approved (voice vote). - 2026 DDA budget adoption: approved (voice vote).
What happens next The amended policies and procedures will be incorporated into the DDA manual. Any suggested code changes that exceed the DDA's authority (for example, changes to city code on special meetings or enforcement) will be forwarded to city council for consideration and implementation.
