Moab City Manager Carly Castle is resigning her position to take a job with the Salt Lake City Attorney’s Office.
Castle, who has helmed the city since 2021, announced her departure in a March 21 email to city staff. Her last day will be April 12.
“This has been a difficult decision for me,” Castle said. “It has been a tremendous privilege to serve Moab … the job has meant the world to me.”
Until a new manager is hired, the city will be led by David Everitt. Everitt served as city manager from 2017 to 2019 and returned last year as interim chief operations officer.
Everitt will now serve as the city’s interim manager. He’ll be aided by a new assistant city manager, Bobby Tech, who is scheduled to begin March 25.
“I know the city will be in good hands with David and Bobby at the helm,” said Castle, who will begin a position as senior city attorney for Salt Lake City.
Castle assumed the City of Moab’s most senior staff position in fall 2021 in a period of turmoil and turnover.
The city had abruptly and dramatically lost both its manager and attorney within days, and soon placed its police chief on leave amidst intense criticism on multiple fronts, including regarding a traffic stop involving Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie.
Castle, who had then served two years as assistant city manager, was promoted to acting city manager and fully assumed the role in early 2022.
In her March 21 email, Castle thanked staff and expressed optimism for the city’s future.
“I’m proud of the things we have accomplished together,” she said, “and I’m enthused about the direction the city is headed in.”
Moab Mayor Joette Langianese, who has spoken highly of Castle in the past, said that while her departure was unfortunate, it wasn’t necessarily surprising.
“We always anticipated that with her skill set she would be highly sought after and would eventually be moving on to further her career,” Langianese said. “However, we didn’t anticipate her departure would be this soon.”
“The City of Moab is in a strong position,” Langianese continued, “and we look forward to new leadership to carry on our vision and dedication to our community.”
Editor’s note • This story is available to Salt Lake Tribune subscribers only. Thank you for supporting local journalism.