City Leaders Ready to Launch Manager Search

It looks like New Port Richey city leaders are ready to get moving on finding a permanent city manager.

City Council members indicated during a workshop Tuesday that they are OK with staff advertising the job June 1.

With that timeline, it appears the council could be interviewing candidates in August and hiring someone around September.

John Schneiger resigned from the job of city manager in October. Susan Dillinger, who also leads the New Port Richey Public Library, has been acting as interim city manager since Schneiger’s departure.

In January, the city decided to put off the search for a city manager until after the April 9 elections.

The two new members on the city council said they were ready to get the ball rolling on the city manager search.

“I’m ready to go forward,” said Councilman Chopper Davis.

“As am I,” said Councilman Jeff Starkey.

Starkey, brought up the issue of pay, saying he wanted to make sure the pay for city manager was “equitable” with the pay city managers of other municipalities the size of New Port Richey received.

The draft of the ad offers a salary into the $90,000s, but city council members indicated they would like to advertise the salary as a range. Schneiger made $110,000 annually, plus benefits.

What qualities do you think the new city manager should have? Share your thoughts in the comments section!

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