After nearly two decades of employment with Draper City, David Dobbins resigned at the end of June. Dobbins has been City Manager since 2013. He started his career with the city in 2005 as Community and Economic Development Director. He became Draper’s Assistant City Manager  in 2009 before becoming City Manager. Prior to Draper, he worked for Salt Lake City for eight years, including as Community and Economic Development Director. 

The economic strategy of bringing in business as Dobbins, the mayor and city staff have done translates into sales tax revenue resulting in lower property taxes for Draper residents. 

“We would not be where we are today without David, no question. He’s been exceptional,” Mayor Troy Walker said. 

The Draper City Manager role is significant. Whereas other cities have full-time mayors, Draper’s mayor is part time and works closely with the full-time city manager as well as the city council. “In our form of government, the city manager is tasked with the day-to-day operations. He essentially runs the city in every aspect,” Walker said.  

Walker credits Dobbins for much of Draper’s economic success as well as the city’s acquisition of open space. “Almost all of our modern economic development came from David’s time. Most of the businesses that came in the last 10 years, David had a big hand in. He was highly involved in our open space purchase that brought us not only Corner Canyon but also SunCrest, and he was vital in our formation of a fire department along with Chief Clint Smith. He worked on a lot of our tech (FrontRunner, light rail) with me, and he’s worked intensely on The Point from before the move of the prison. He’s been a major force in all of it,” Walker said.  

“I wanted it on the record how much we’ve appreciated David Dobbins. We’re going to miss you tremendously,” councilmember Fred Lowry said at the June 18 city council meeting.

Dobbins said in an email statement to the City Journals that he made the decision to step down as city manager. “When I started with Draper City economic development was one of my main responsibilities, and I really enjoyed that role, which I kept doing while also being city manager. My next job will allow me to focus on just doing economic development.  

“Leaving Draper City was a difficult decision because I love working with Mayor Walker and each of the city councilmembers and have tremendous respect for the work they do. They care deeply for the community and it shows in how much time and effort they invest. I will miss working with them as well as the residents of the city that make Draper an amazing and unique community.” 

In Draper’s form of government, the mayor and city council are tasked with hiring the City Manager. Walker said the council hasn’t yet made a plan to search for Dobbins’ replacement, but it will be discussed. In recent years, Walker has said the position of mayor may need to become a full-time job as it is in other cities. 

“It’s something we’re probably ready for, and with the growth of The Point, it probably lends itself to that being a way forward. It’s certainly something we’re going to discuss as part of this transition,” Walker said. λ

City Attorney Mike Barker has been appointed Acting City Manager. λ