After a lengthy search, the Los Angeles City Council decided to go in-house in choosing its new chief legislative analyst, selecting acting CLA Gerry Miller.

Miller replaces Ron Deaton, who left the post in December to become general manager of the Department of Water & Power. Unlike City Council positions that oversee his post, Miller’s has no term limits.

Before taking over as acting CLA, Miller was Deaton’s executive officer, playing key roles in negotiating the city subsidy package for the Staples Center, financing the construction of the Marvin Braude Constituent Services Center in Van Nuys and in the subsidy package for the proposed Convention Center hotel.

The search for a new CLA had dragged on for months as several high-profile potential candidates were passed over or took themselves out of consideration, including former Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski.