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O'Neill To Stand In As City Manager

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By CHRISTIAN M. WADE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 15, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY - He's worked for the city for more than three decades, knows virtually every inch of its plumbing, and in less than a month he'll be taking over the reins.

Tom O'Neill, the public works director, was tapped to become interim city manager by the city council Tuesday night, replacing outgoing Scott Miller.

He will assume the new duties Dec. 14, when Miller leaves to be city administrator in Leavenworth, Kan., a city of about 35,000 on the Missouri River.

It's a temporary position for O'Neill, but one he might hold for a while.

Council members don't plan to begin seeking a permanent replacement until early next year, and even then the search could take several months.

"We'll be in good hands until then," Mayor Dan Tipton said. "There's no need to rush."

Miller, 57, became New Port Richey's chief administrator in November 2004, replacing 16-year manager Gerald Seeber. Before that, the Pennsylvania native was city manager of College Park, Ga., and worked in Boynton Beach, Oakland Park and Wilton Manors.

His departure means Pasco County's largest city won't have a permanent manager at a time when officials are struggling to maintain services amid state-mandated tax reforms.

Miller also is leaving behind several stalled downtown redevelopment projects.

O'Neill, 54, was hired by public works in 1974 and worked his way up through the rank and file to become assistant director and eventually head of the department in 1989.

His salary as interim city manager has not yet been determined.

Reporter Christian M. Wade can be reached at (727) 815-1082 or cwade@tampatrib.com.

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