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Highlands Today

City Halts Public Works Director Search

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By JOE SEELIG

Highlands Today

Published: November 18, 2008

SEBRING - The city's search for a public works director has been put on hold, with city staff recommending a candidate from Virginia, said City Clerk Kathy Haley.

The Sebring City Council will consider the recommendation of Robert "Rob" Miller today at its meeting.

"First the mayor (George Hensley) will make his recommendation," Haley said. "Then the council would have to approve. We've already halted the application process."

If appointed, Miller is scheduled to start Dec. 1 and will be earning $68,000 per year. He would also receive $5,000 for a moving allowance.

Since 2007, Miller worked for the Virginia Department of Transportation in Warsaw, Va., as a maintenance operations manager, overseeing four counties, directly supervising four superintendents and five supervisors. There he planned, developed and implemented an $11.1 million operating budget.

According to Miller's application, prior to moving to Virginia, he worked 16 years for the city of Escondido, Calif.; including two years as a field engineering associate from 2005 to 2007; two years as a public works maintenance superintendent from 2003 to 2005; and five years as a crew supervisor from 1998 to 2003.

Miller graduated from Poway High School, in Poway, Calif., and reported being just one course away from completing his associate degree in public works administration, at Palomar College, in San Marcos, Calif.

He will replace Roads, Buildings and Grounds Superintendent George Fox, who is scheduled to retire Dec. 31.

On May 25 the city council appointed a committee consisting of Haley, Councilman John Griffin and Councilman Scott Stanley to find a replacement.

Miller was interviewed by conference call on Oct. 23 and later appeared before the committee in person, Haley said. He was chosen from a field of 41 applicants, which was shortlisted to the top four candidates.

Joe Seelig can be reached at (863) 386-5834 or jseelig@highlandstoday.com .

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