City commissioners voted unanimously March 27 to appoint Michael Helfrich as the next city manager, selecting the former Treasure Island public works director over a field of seven candidates for his specialized knowledge of coastal infrastructure.
The 5-0 vote to begin formal contract negotiations followed a lengthy session in which commissioners weighed Helfrich’s technical background against the proven municipal track record of New Port Richey City Manager Debbie Manns. But it was Helfrich’s decade of experience managing stormwater and shoreline systems in nearby Treasure Island that tipped the balance.
Helfrich, a Florida-licensed professional engineer, U.S. Navy veteran and local property owner since 2011, was praised by several commissioners for his immediate grasp of the area’s coastal environment. His military service aboard nuclear submarines was also cited as a factor in his leadership style…