Nixa hires planning, development director

Last edited 11:49 a.m., Nov. 25, 2020

The city of Nixa hired a new leader for its Planning and Development Department.

Garrett Tyson succeeds Travis Cossey, who was promoted to assistant director of Nixa Utilities and Public Works, according to a news release.

Tyson most recently provided community development consulting work to municipalities as the founder of CivicMinded Consulting, according to his LinkedIn profile. Prior to that, he worked with the city of Republic for around 10 years, most recently as community development director.

"While employed at Republic, Garrett led efforts to successfully reform the organization's plan review and permitting programs, the development of an innovative comprehensive planning process and the adoption of numerous regulatory reforms that increased opportunity for economic development," officials said in the release.

Nixa's Planning and Development Department regulates construction; administers and enforces codes; and oversees the use or occupancy of buildings and structures, according to its website.

City spokesperson Drew Douglas said Tyson's salary is $70,470. He leads a department with a 2021 budget of $647,925 and eight employees.