"I am burnt out," the Riverton mayor said Monday. "The citizens of Riverton have used me up."

With that declaration, the longtime officeholder confirmed he will not seek re-election next year, ending what will be a 23-year political career.

Evans' fatigue stems from a complex legal battle over a sprawling 100-acre development planned for the booming southwest valley city of 30,000.

An ardent supporter of the project, which includes Wal-Mart and 800 housing units, Evans preaches that the added sales tax will help pay for Riverton's growth - expected to double to 60,000 by 2025.

"We need to have a way to pay for that," Evans said. "This provides a revenue source, provides parks and playing fields and allows the convenience of having shopping nearby."

At least 5,000 residents disagree with the first-term mayor, signing a petition opposing the project. Appearing before the Utah Supreme Court on Monday during their continuing battle to get a referendum on the ballot, several residents charged Evans with helping deny their voting rights.

"We had no idea about his questionable character," Colleen Edwards said after the hearing. "He's been shifty, mistrusting, and he's very embarrassing to me."

Lori Muhlestein said the mayor's unabashed support for the project - Evans smashed his gavel repeatedly and threatened to remove residents who applauded during a May 4 public hearing - has led to a public "uprising." "He knows he's worn out his welcome," she added.

Evans also has been challenged by Republican state Rep. David Hogue, one of the city's most outspoken critics of the Wal-Mart development.

"It's shameful," Hogue said. "[City officials] have to stand up for the citizens' rights."

Before this mayoral term, Evans served 10 years in Utah's House followed by four in the state Senate. He also spent 3 1/2 years on the Riverton City Council and 18 months on the Planning and Zoning Commission.

"That's a long haul," said Evans, who sees the reshaping of Riverton as his legacy. "We are not a rural community. I've never campaigned under that notion. . . . I'm doing this for what is best for the people."

djensen@sltrib.com