The City of Moab has announced the hiring of Ben Billingsley as the City’s new finance director. Billingsley, who currently resides in Washington County, will start his new job in Moab on April 5. Billingsley will be responsible for financial analysis, strategic financial planning, city budgeting, and revenue projections.
Billingsley’s hiring was unanimously approved by the Moab City Council on March 23. The finance director is appointed by the mayor, with council assent.
Moab Mayor Emily Niehaus said she is “so excited” that Billingsley has accepted the finance director position.
“Ben has excellent municipal experience and a strong educational background. I’m grateful that he and his family have chosen Moab as their new home,” Niehaus said. “He is going to bring new energy to our administrative team.
Billingsley most recently served as the district manager for the Washington County Solid Waste District. Previously, he was the finance director for the Apple Valley, Utah, and has also more than 10 years of experience in private sector finance. He holds an undergraduate degree in accounting from Utah Valley University and a master’s degree in public administration from Southern Utah University.
“I enjoy the field of municipal finance, where the focus is the efficient use of limited funds to provide services for the community to thrive,” Billingsley said. “I view this appointment to the City of Moab as returning to the field I am most passionate about. I enjoy taking a data-driven approach to difficult situations, and the challenge of objectively quantifying difficult-to-measure scenarios.”
Billingsley said he has been a regular visitor to Moab for the past 20 years and enjoys the outdoor recreation opportunities the region offers. Now, he said, he looks forward to his family living in and contributing to the community.
“Moab is a unique community with many challenges, and I look forward to working with staff and the City Council to find solutions to some of these challenges,” Billingsley said. “I have been impressed with the competence of the individuals I have met with, and look forward to being an integral part of the team. I am excited about being a part of building a strong community.”
“Let’s welcome Ben and his family and make them feel part of our community,” Niehaus said.
The finance director position has been open since February when Klint York resigned to return to work in the private sector.