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Highlands Today

Council Approves Public Works Director

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By JOE SEELIG

Highlands Today

Published: November 21, 2008

SEBRING - Sebring City Councilman Dan Andrews wasn't so much against the city offering Robert "Rob" Miller, of Virginia, a job as public works director, as he was opposed to how much Miller would get paid.

Mayor George Hensley began the discussion by recommending Miller for the position that will oversee the roads, grounds and buildings as well as solid waste departments.

"We're very pleased with this young man," Hensley began. "He's a family man looking forward to moving to Florida; not only moving to Florida, but moving to Sebring. This young man is a quality individual, highly qualified, highly motivated.

Miller will be paid $68,000 per year.

That exceeds the range of $54,000 to $64,000 the city advertised, Andrews stated. The salary is equivalent to the city administrator's, he argued.
City Administrator Scott Noethlich earns $72,100 per year.

"I can't fathom paying someone under him basically what we're paying him," Andrews said.

Miller will supervise 22 employees, while Noethlich is over 150 people.

"Maybe we have to give (Noethlich) more money," said Councilman John Griffin.

"No," Andrews replied, that wasn't what he was driving at.

He cited salaries Miller earned at other jobs he's held, including $60,000 at the city of Escondido and $54,875 at his present job with the Virginia Department of Transportation as a maintenance operations manager.

"Basically, this is a $15,000 pay increase," Andrews said.

Miller will receive $5,000 for a moving allowance, which Andrews also objected to.

The state and federal governments are no longer paying from moving fees, Andrews argued.

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.

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

Superintendent Earnest Johnson will continue the day-to-day operations of the Solid Waste Department, but will report to Miller.

He was chosen from a field of 41 applicants, which was shortlisted to the top four candidates.

Council voted 4-1 in favor of hiring Miller.

Miller, along with his wife, teen-age son and two younger children, are supposed to arrive in Sebring on Monday, said City Clerk Kathy Haley.

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

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