New Port Richey announced yesterday that two new city planners have been hired in the City’s Development Department. The City has extended offers of employment to Gus Karpas and Christopher Mettler and they have both been accepted. Mr. Karpas will replace Aubrey Hale and Mr. Metder will occupy the position that was established in last year’s budget.

Karpas comes to New Port Richey from Carver, Minnesota bringing more than 20 years of Planning and Zoning experience. Mr. Karpas was most recently a Zoning Coordinator for the City of Deephaven, Minnesota holding that position for 17 years. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Urban Planning and Geography from the Mankato State University and a Masters of Urban Planning from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He is a member of the American Planning Association. Mr. Karpas and his family will be relocating to New Port Richey. His tentative start date is April 20, 2015.

Mettler is from Clearwater and brings over fourteen years planning experience. Mr. Mettler has a Master’s Degree from the University of Florida in Urban and Regional Planning and a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Emory University. He attended Florida State University College of Law, where he discovered his passion for planning far exceeded his interest in practicing law. He joined the Hernando County Planning Department as Planner II, a position he held for six years. Mr. Mettler was most recently with the Pinellas Planning Council in Clearwater as a Program Planner from April 2006 to December 2014 and is a member of the American Planning Association. Mr. Mettler will be joining the City on April 6, 2015.