Sun intern
After going over 44 resumes submitted from across the country and conducting interviews with the best possible candidates, Milford City Council has hired Michael Doss to the vacant city manager position.
Doss currently serves as the city administrator of Buckhannon, W.Va. and has previously held two city manager positions in Chandler, Ind. and Lewisburg, Ohio. He will be replacing Jeff Wright who resigned in August 2015. Pam Holbrook currently serves as interim city manager.
Council voted unanimously to hire Doss during the April 19 council meeting at a salary of $95,000. Doss has a three year contract with the city and will be evaluated each year, which could impact his salary.
“He is super pumped and excited about coming to Milford. He can’t wait to get his family here and join the community,” said Milford Law Director Michael Minniear.
Doss starts his job May 16 and will be sworn in at the May 17 council meeting.
Mayor Laurie Howland remarked that on top of Doss’ experience and credentials he shows a passion for what he does for a living.
“I think he’s going to be an outstanding city manager,” Howland said. She is looking forward to introducing him to the residents, merchants and business owners.
“This is an exciting next chapter in the history of Milford,” said Howland.
Doss was attracted to Milford because of its progressiveness, amenities, educational system and the quality of life and recreational opportunities the greater Cincinnati area provides.
“Milford is an interesting place. It’s right here, a large city in Cincinnati, but it still has that small town charm. I like working in the local government because I can get out of my office and see things happening in my community and know that I had a role and a part in that.” Doss said.
Doss says that Buckhannon is very similar to Milford and that they are doing things that Milford would like to emphasize or build upon. He wants to leave Buckhannon in the best condition possible before the oncoming transition to Milford.
“I’m sure as I get closer to my start date with Milford my eyes are going to turn to Milford. I already have some ideas and thoughts in my head. I’m just ready to get started and be part of the team and hit the ground running,” Doss said.
Milford hired special advisor Douglas Plunkett from Management Partners to publish the want ads, to do research and background checks on the candidates and to arrange and coordinate the interview process.
“Management Partners is a professional management consulting firm specializing in helping government organizations improve their operations for more than 20 years,” the website states.
Plunkett and his firm provided council with a biography and resume for the final candidates, which were also available to the public.
During his almost five year tenure as city administrator of Buckhannon, Doss was responsible for a variety of government faculties including day to day operations of all the departments, management of the budget and financing for major projects and future changes to modernize the city, such as development and redevelopment along with a city-wide community aesthetic plan based on sustainability, according to the biography Plunkett provided to council.
Doss has a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and criminal justice from Marshall University and a Master’s Degree in public administration from West Virginia University. He is a credential manager with the International City/County Managers Association and was named the New Outstanding Local Government Manager by the Indiana Municipal Management Association in 2010, according to the biography.
Doss also has experience as an adjunct professor with West Virginia Wesleyan College teaching undergraduate courses in state and local government as well as criminal law and procedure, according to the biography.
Doss said in an email he values teaching as a way to give back to the discipline of public administration while providing and encouraging college students to pursue a career in public service. He would like to possibly return to teaching in a few years but wants to spend his time now to focus on advancing the Milford.
Doss also enjoys being involved in his children’s extra curricular activities and has spent time as an assistant coach in youth basketball and baseball. He plans to live in the city with his wife and three children, two boys ages 10 and 8, and a girl age 5, who will be attending Milford school district. Doss believes that Milford’s best days are yet to come.