Dirk Voss to Focus on Economic Development, Public Safety and Community Engagement

DESERT HOT SPRINGS — Another person, Dirk Voss, has joined the race for Desert Hot Springs City Council District 4. He has three challengers: Gary Carroll, Charles Lantz and Thomas Moen.

I’ve been a homeowner in Desert Hot Springs for 12 years.  I currently serve as the Chair of the Desert Hot Springs Planning Commission and served on the Commission from 2015-2018; serving as chairman during our economic development boom. I also served on the City Redevelopment Successor Agency Oversight Board and the City Community and Cultural Affairs Commission.

Voss is business owner (Urban Management Strategies) specializing in business development which he created in 2015. In addition, Voss said he has more than 25 years of professional experience managing leadership in local government: economic development, redevelopment, development services and code compliance.

He has laid out a 13-poiint to improve the city. Following are the top 3:

  1. Economic development between Palm and Indian Ave along Hwy 10 and at Pierson and Hwy 62. Economic Development is a public safety issue.
  2. Diversify the workforce and local economic development improving our local economy and tax base.
  3. Pursue businesses, services, and amenities the residents would like in the city.

His personal time includes regularly workouts at Five Star Gym in Desert Hot Springs, riding his Harley Davidson, attending sporting events and local entertainment venues, attending Joshua Springs Church, enjoying the latest movies, studying, and reading up on public policies and foreign policies and affairs, and spending quality time with his dog Gretchen.

“I will be a leader who will fight for our residents and our cit,” Voss said. “For me, this race is in honor of my dad who was always supportive of what I did in my years. He was my hero and as I grew in my professional career, we had great discussions on management, personnel, strategic planning, policy development and would have long discussions about governmental affairs and policies. He always supported my community service and involvement and always said one day you’ll run for office – today is that day.”

Some of Voss’ endorsements include Desert Hot Springs Police Officers Association and Scott Matas, mayor of Desert Hot Springs.

As you may recall, on April 5, 2022, the City Council adopted Ordinance 754 approving Map 1.1 as the final district map and establishing a by-district election process commencing with the Nov. 8, 2022, General Municipal Election. Members of the City Council are elected by districts 1, 2, 3, and 4, with one (1) mayor elected at-large.

Members of the City Council from Council Districts 1 and 3 were elected on a by-district basis beginning with the Nov. 8, 2022, General Municipal Election and every four years thereafter.

Members of the City Council from Council Districts 2 and 4 will be elected on a by-district basis beginning with the General Municipal Election in November 2024 and every four years thereafter. One mayor shall be elected at-large in November 2024.

Only registered voters residing in the Council District may vote for candidates running for City Council in that District. Please visit the city’s Districting Webpage for more information.

Lookup your voting district using the city’s Interactive Mapping Tool.