Milton's Deerfield-focused Development Authority will elect its first chairman, vice chairman, secretary and treasurer Wednesday, Oct. 7, at its second meeting since the city activated the body in September.

The meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. in City Hall's Council Chambers. Residents can also watch online.

Before the vote, the eight-member authority is scheduled to take a driving tour of Deerfield properties within its area of operation. No official business will be conducted during the tour, according to the city's announcement.

After electing officers, members plan to review and potentially adopt bylaws governing how the authority operates. They will also set a schedule for future meetings.

The authority held its first meeting Tuesday, Sept. 22. Wednesday's agenda includes approving the minutes from that session.

Eight members appointed

The City Council appointed seven members to the authority on Wednesday, Sept. 9: Steve Golden, a real estate lawyer; Todd Harkleroad, president of the Avensong Community Association; Penn Hodge, a commercial real estate expert with law and accounting experience; Jan Jacobus, the District 3 councilmember whose district includes Deerfield; Roger Lusby, a certified public accountant; Brian McNeese, who has a background in corporate real estate and construction; and Taylor Smith, a parks and recreation professional.

Brandon Cox, who has extensive real estate development experience, was appointed as the eighth member at the Monday, Oct. 5, council meeting.

The authority is charged with supporting economic development and encouraging quality investment in the Deerfield area. City Manager Steve Krokoff has said the body will help with financial and market analysis and identify potential partners for future private development, Appen Media reported.

Why Deerfield matters

The Deerfield District, Milton's most heavily commercial area, had more than 550,000 square feet of vacant commercial space as of October 2024, according to the city's Destination Deerfield page. Its 1990s-era office parks have been hit hard by corporations' changing post-pandemic office policies.

The council initiated the authority's activation with a resolution on Monday, Aug. 17, and formally established it Sept. 9. At that Sept. 9 meeting, Mayor Peyton Jamison said, "Together these investments can make Deerfield a place that adds something meaningful to our residents' daily lives."

Separately, the council on Monday, Sept. 21, approved a $26.25 million purchase agreement for roughly 51.32 acres at One, Two and Three Verizon Place in Deerfield. A second council vote is expected in late November before the city moves forward.

The Oct. 7 meeting is open to the public at City Hall or via the city's online stream.