Brian Barger Community and Economic Development Director P.O. Box 1288 Miami, OK 74355-1288 (918) 541-2300 Fax: (918) 542-6845 Email: Brian Barger

INTRODUCING OUR COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

The Miami City Council voted in October 2004 to create the community of economic development department that went into effect July 1, 2005.  Included in this decision is the creation of an economic development trust authority to oversee the City's economic development services and revolving loan fund program.  The transition period will be used to implement all the steps necessary to create a fully functional department.

Brian Barger serves as the City's community and economic development director.  He is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the City's new economic development department and reports to the City manager. Mr. Barger began working for the city on May 2, 2005.  His other duties include working with the Miami Development Authority (MDA), City council, public utility board, and staff on business retention and recruitment activities.

The City's goal in creating this department is to increase the economic prosperity of our area, improve the quality of life, and transfer accountability on what occurs with respect to economic development back to the people. 

Our new department will not only focus on retail and commercial recruitment, but manufacturing and industrial.

	Larry Eller Community Development/ Grant Coordinator P.O. Box 1288 Miami, OK 74355-1288 (918) 541-2300 Email: Larry Eller

Larry Eller currently holds the position of community development/grant coordinator for City of Miami. 

Mr. Eller began working for the City on October 2, 2006.  He possesses a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Northeast Oklahoma State University of Tahlequah, Oklahoma. He also possesses a Master of Public Administration and a Master of Regional and City Planning, both from the University of Oklahoma of Norman, Oklahoma.  

Larry is the former director of community development for the City of Parsons, Kansas, where he served for 27 years.

His accomplishments include: developing over 120 new single-family homes, rehabilitated over 300 owner-occupied homes, writing grant applications for Parsons' downtown revitalization project, which won a Great American Main Street Award.

Larry also worked with volunteers to help raise money for a new senior citizen's center and park amphitheater, secured funding for a 2 mile walking/biking trail, and secured grant funding for a variety of street, water, sewer, and park improvements.

	Jill Fitzgibbon Assistant to the City Manager - Economic Development P.O. Box 1288 Miami, OK 74355-1288 (918) 541-2300 Email: Jill Fitzgibbon

Jill Fitzgibbon currently holds the position of assistant to the City manager - economic development for City of Miami. 

Mrs. Fitzgibbon began working for the City on September 27, 1999.  She possesses a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Missouri Southern State University of Joplin, Missouri.  Jill has comparative experience in this role since 1995.

APPOINTMENT

The City manager shall appoint.

ASSISTANT TO THE CITY MANAGER - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

The assistant to the City manager shall have the following responsibilities:

1. Confer with and provide assistance to the public in the absence of City manager and director in regards to planning, coordinating and scheduling activities.

2. Effectively provide direction and policy interpretation to the public in absence of City manager and director.

3. Answer calls and investigate complaints from public and others regarding services, charges, quality of service and supply answers as needed.

4. Analyze reports to determine proper compliance with governmental agencies, regulatory agencies, etc.

5. Coordinate and schedule enrollment in conferences and classes.

6. Prepare a variety of letters, memos, forms and reports from dictaphone, handwritten drafts or verbal instructions.

7. Perform as a receptionist for economic development office, greeting visitors and providing information within scope of knowledge or referring to appropriate individual as needed and directed.

8. Establish and maintain a variety of files and records, searching files and/or records for information as needed and directed.

9. Help prepare various agendas and assemble copies of documents prior to all board and committee meetings.

10. Attend board and committee meetings.

11. Perform other duties as directed by City manager and director for the overall efficient operation of the economic development department.

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