Apr. 16—MORGANTOWN — On Tuesday, Morgantown City Council voted to finalize the city’s acquisition of the historic Easton Roller Mill property from the Monongalia County Historical Society.
On Wednesday, it hired a Miller.
In a brief special meeting, Morgantown City Council voted unanimously Wednesday evening to hire Jamie Miller as Morgantown’s next city manager.
Miller is currently the city manager in Paris, Ky., the seat of Bourbon County with just over 10, 000 residents and a current operating budget of $12.3 million.
She’s expected to arrive in Morgantown in late June, following a 60-day notice to Paris City Council.
According to information obtained by The Dominion Post, Miller was one of three finalists to sit for in-person interviews. Assistant City Manager Emily Muzzarelli was among the applicants for the opening, but Muzzarelli’s status as a finalist couldn’t be confirmed in time for this report.
“Building relationships is essential to fostering economic development, ” Miller said in a press release issued by the city. “I am committed to working collaboratively with the community and stakeholders to ensure that Morgantown thrives in both service and growth. I am excited to work with our employees, local leaders and city officials to move Morgantown forward.”
Miller represents a bit of Morgantown history as the first woman ever hired to hold the city manager position as a permanent role. Muzzarelli previously filled the position on an interim basis.
Not counting interim appointees, Miller will be the city’s fifth chief executive since late 2010.
She’ll come to Morgantown after just over two years in her current position, having been hired by Paris City Council on April 26, 2022.
Based on media reports, Miller was one of four finalists for the city manager job in Manhattan, Ks. this past July. In September, she was one of five finalists for the same job in Davenport, Iowa.
Prior to her time in Paris, Miller held a number of positions — including deputy city manager and interim city manager — in Port Orange, a coastal city of 65, 000 in central Florida.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jamie Miller as our new city manager, ” Mayor Joe-Abu-Ghannam is quoted as saying. “Her passion for public service and commitment to building collaborative partnerships will be invaluable as we work together. Together we will create a brighter future for the City of Morgantown.”
According to information available online, Miller holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Stetson University and an M.S. in industrial and organizational psychology from the University of Central Florida.