Some changes have taken place in staff leadership positions at the city of North Bend.

After interim city administrator Mark Rigos decided to return to his previous role as deputy city administrator and public works director, he suggested community and economic development (CED) director Dave Miller step into the position.

Mayor Rob McFarland then appointed Miller, who accepted, as the city’s new interim city administrator.

Rigos announced Jan. 10 he would return to his former position beginning Jan. 16. He had served for four and a half years as public works director and for more than a year as interim city administrator.

Miller joined the city of North Bend team in 2017 and has experience working for several cities as city administrator, CED director and public works director.

Jill Green, communications manager, said it was fully Rigos’s decision to step out of the position and that the city did not make that decision for him.

Rigos said he based the change mainly on wanting to spend more time with his family and also wanting to utilize his engineering skills on upcoming projects, such as improvements on the wastewater treatment plant.

Green also said, having worked with both of them, that she fully trusts both gentlemen will do a great job.

“Dave (Miller) has so much experience. It made sense for him to step in in the interim,” she said. “I feel very confident in his abilities to take this on and do what’s best for the residents.”

Miller will continue to work as CED director in addition to his new work as interim city administrator.

“I am here to offer any professional services I can to ensure the success of North Bend,” Miller said in a city press release. “We certainly have some great challenges for 2020 and I am excited to join with Mayor McFarland, council and staff in turning these challenges into successful accomplishments.”

The naming of a permanent city administrator is expected in the first half of the year.

“With Mark’s steady hand on the tiller of the fast-growing public works department, coupled with Dave’s expertise in management, I’m confident that we have the right people on board and are headed in the right direction,” Mayor McFarland said in the same release.