DESTIN — City Manager Maryann Ustick submitted her resignation Friday and intends to move back to Las Vegas to be closer to her family.
“It has been a great honor and privilege to serve the city of Destin, the City Council and the residents of this beautiful community,” Ustick wrote in her resignation letter. “I am deeply grateful to the city staff for the opportunity to work with the most dedicated and talented team of employees I have ever known, and I will miss them dearly. I will assist in every way possible to ensure a smooth transition.”
She will stay onboard with the city until Aug. 19.
Ustick could not be reached for comment Friday evening.
She has been Destin’s city manager since September 2011 when she was hired to replace Greg Kisela.
“I’m very happy for her because it was a family decision, one that she and her husband were in agreement with, and I’m a firm believer that when the family is in agreement, it’s the right call,” Destin Mayor Mel Ponder said.
“Obviously, I’m disappointed for the city,” Ponder added. “It felt like she had done some great things and had us in the right direction. I was enjoying working with her.”
“I was surprised but I understand. I wish her well,” City Councilwoman Sandy Trammell said. “We will carry on and continue to the best of our abilities.”
Councilman Cyron Marler also was surprised by Ustick’s resignation, but praised her work. He said council members must vote to accept her resignation at their next meeting and come up with a plan to replace her.
In the past, Marler said the council has hired an agency to help with search efforts.
“We need somebody who can really put some weight and some force behind what’s going on,” Marler said. “We have Norriego Point and all these other things we’ve got to get started and get going with.
“It’s a sudden shock. I can understand her reasoning and I’m sorry to see her go,” he added. “I think we have a good staff that can fill the gap in between while we’re searching.”
Councilman Tuffy Dixon agreed.
“We need a really strong city manager,” Dixon said. “We need someone that can do some team-building with the city employees and the public.
“We’re starting on the budget so it will be difficult, but we’ll definitely get it done,” he added.
Daily News Managing Editor Wendy Victora and Staff Writer Trista Pruett contributed to this report.