Educator, economic expert appointed to the Flint City Planning Commission

FLINT, Mich. – A Flint native with several years of experience in education and economic development has been inducted as the newest member of the city’s planning commission.  

The Flint City Council voted unanimously at an April 13, 2026 meeting to appoint Dylan Luna to fill the vacant 7th Ward seat on the Flint City Planning Commission.

“We need more young folks in government in the city of Flint,” Luna said. “There’s been an old guard here for a long time, so I’m hoping to rejuvenate that piece.”

Born and raised in Flint’s Southside, Luna is a proud “Flintstone” who has worked in the field of economic development for more than five years. Luna serves as a senior global attraction representative for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, having also worked as business development manager for the Flint and Genesee Economic Alliance from 2021 to 2023.

His career in education goes back even further. Luna’s first job was as a teacher in Chicago, later returning to Michigan in 2014 to teach Spanish in Detroit and eventually elementary education in his hometown of Flint.

Luna also serves as treasurer and a trustee on the Flint Board of Education.

“I love the city of Flint. I believe my education, my experience and my passion speaks for itself,” Luna said. “I just want to lend my experience (to the Planning Commission). I think with my history of working in government, politics and policy – and my network that I have throughout the state and the country and city – I can use that expertise to advance good projects in the city.” 

Luna’s term on the commission began immediately with his induction, and is set to expire March 31, 2029, according to city council documents.

“That is an important board to be on as we talk about restoring Flint and growing Flint – that we have people that really understand what it takes to do that,” said 6th Ward Flint City Councilwoman Tonya Burns.

Flint resident and current Ward 5 council seat candidate Joel Arnold spoke at the April 13 meeting to voice his support for Luna’s appointment. 

“I know (Luna) to be a man of really great character, a deep understanding of the planning and development system,” Arnold said. “He would be able to be a big asset to the commission.”

The Flint City Planning Commission meets at 5:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month. The group’s next meeting is scheduled for April 28, 2026.