Biles accepts Pasco offer to lead county government

An Alabama engineer is set to become Pasco County's next administrator.

Dan Biles, 48, the deputy county manager for infrastructure in Jefferson County, Ala., has accepted Pasco's offer to replace Michele Baker as county administrator.

"We are thrilled to soon be joining the #localgov #Pasco team,'' Biles tweeted March 16.

Biles told the Tampa Bay Times he signed the county's offer sheet March 15. A formal contract is being drafted and is expected to be voted upon by county commissioners on March 28.

''We have a deal in place,'' said Biles.

The board voted to offer Biles the job March 14 after he emerged as the clear favorite among a unanimous commission that had spent the day interviewing Biles and four other candidates.

"He's excited. We're excited,'' Commission Chairman Mike Moore said after Biles accepted the position.

Biles said he thought his start date might be "on or about May 1.'' He will be paid $220,000 annually.

Biles has served as public works director in Corpus Christi, Texas, worked in private engineering firms, and commanded the 248th Civil Engineering Flight Air National Guard in Camp Murray, Wash. He is a retired U.S. Air Force colonel and holds bachelor's and master's degrees in civil engineering from Texas A&M University.

He will succeed Baker, who told commissioners in 2015 that she would not seek a contract extension when her current agreement ends in July. After a national search, Baker, the former deputy county administrator, was promoted to the top spot in 2013 to succeed long-time administrator John Gallagher.