Two decades ago, Veronica Miller found her home in St. Cloud.
And now the longtime resident and employee for the city will help direct that home town as a growing city, as the City Council gave direction to the city attorney to work up a contract to become its new City Manager last week.
Miller is officially the interim manager until her contract is put together, then approved by the City Council. That action is on tonight’s Council meeting, which begins at 6:30 p.m.
Miller replaces Bill Sturgeon, who served Five years in the role, and four more prior to that as St. Cloud Fire Chief. Sturgeon retired Friday.
“I felt the community’s and other employees’ support,” Miller said late last week, following a ceremony to honor Sturgeon. “Bill leaves big shoes to fill.”
At the Sept. 1 special meeting, Deputy Mayor Linette Matheny made a motion to name Miller to the post, and council members Dave Askew and Kolby Urban voted in favor.
Mayor Nathan Blackwell voted against, giving his support for Osceola County Deputy County Manager Darren Gray, the other candidate the city fully vetted, and his expertise in commercial development and large budgets. He noted that Miller’s husband Jason Miller is the St. Cloud Fire Chief. “He is over a major department and who is a direct report to her sets up a potential conflict of interest,” Blackwell said, “Most likely it would never happen, but has the potential to create an awkward situation.” Council Member Keith Trace said he would prefer the City conduct a wider search before making a selection.
But Matheny said a nationwide search wouldn’t have produced a candidate better than Miller or Gray.
“Ms. Miller, for me, has put in the time with the city, run basically every department. If I call her about anything, she has the answer or knows who has it and gets back immediately. (I like) her wealth of knowledge, and she has a lot of ideas on her plate. I think it’s Ms. Miller’s time to have this shot.”
Askew said Sturgeon did “a great job” because of a support system that’s included Miller.
“That support came from Miller and the staff beside and under her,” Askew said. “You need to wrap yourself around the people who are responsible for the city running so well. Veronica knows who to call, who to talk to.”
Later this year, Miller, who had been the city’s Deputy City Manager, will reach her 20th anniversary with the city. With jobs often opening up within city governments, Miller chose to stay in a town she’s come to call home.
“My family and friends are here,” she said. “I could live and work anywhere, but St. Cloud is special. It’s the people, the employees, the community fabric – they make St. Cloud a unique place.”
Miller has worked in or directed a number of city departments: Public Works, Utilities, Planning, Building, Parks and Recreation, Grants, Procurement, Economic Development and Finance. Prior to working for St. Cloud, she spent stints in the planning departments of the cities of Oviedo and Kissimmee. Her roles as Deputy City Manager have included serving as Chief of Staff for the City, and directly overseeing several departments.
“In this role I know I’ll have more oversight,” she said. “I’ve always been interested where the city has needed help, and I’ve learned so much in these years in St. Cloud.”
Miller becomes the first Hispanic female to serve as St. Cloud’s City Manager. An Orlando native and Colonial High School grad, Miller earned a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from Rollins College, with a concentration in Government and Policy. She is a Certified Public Manager, a Florida Redevelopment Association - Redevelopment Administrator (FRA-RA), and a qualified member of the American Institute of Certified Planners. She also is an ICMA Credentialed Manager.
