Grantsville native Joel Linares and Tracy Dutson of Rockville, Utah, have joined the Moab City team. Linares’ first day on the job as the new assistant city manager was Oct. 1. Dutson began work as the city’s senior projects manager in late August.
Linares holds an undergraduate degree in history from Utah State University and a Juris Doctorate from the Oklahoma City University School of Law. He was the Grantsville city attorney for seven years and the deputy city attorney for the City of West Jordan from 2017 to April 2018. He also has been an adjunct professor of history at Utah State University since 2008.
Linares, who most recently served as the administrative services manager for the City of West Jordan, says he is looking forward to becoming part of the Moab community.
“I’ve always liked working for smaller communities,” he said. “I also really appreciate the recreational opportunities and the beauty of this area as well as the cultural identity of Moab.”
He said he especially enjoys hiking, spending time on the river and riding his enduro motorcycle.
“Based on the communication I’ve had with staff and council from West Jordan and Grantsville, we are so lucky to have him on our team, and they are so bummed to see him go,” Moab Mayor Emily Niehaus said of the City’s decision to hire Linares. “The City Council has an ambitious agenda, and Joel’s experience will be a big help as we get things done for the residents and businesses of Moab.”
As the city’s senior project manager, Dutson will focus primarily on affordable housing issues.
Dutson has more than 20 years of experience in project development, finance and construction management. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the University of Utah.
His previous projects include both multifamily apartment buildings and market rate single-family subdivisions. He has prepared financial packages for projects utilizing the low income housing tax credit (LIHTC) program as well as many other creative funding sources.
“We’re so happy to have Tracy here at the city and focusing on our housing issues,” Niehaus said. “His experience and skill in developing affordable housing projects will be a major benefit to our community.”
Currently, Dutson is working on the potential acquisition of the Walnut Lane mobile home park, with the goal of maintaining affordability. He is also working on developing policy as it relates to barriers impacting affordable housing in the community.
“The City of Moab is actively engaged in finding solutions to address the community’s affordable housing crisis,” Dutson said. “I’m very excited to be taking on this challenge.”
Joel Linares named assistant manager; Tracy Dutson hired as projects manager
