Ketchum’s Planning and Building Chief Moving On, Accepts Post with East Idaho City

KETCHUM, IDAHO – The head of the City of Ketchum’s Planning and Building Department will be leaving his post next month to tackle a new set of career challenges as the top administrator with the City of Ammon.

Micah Austin, who began working for Ketchum in January 2015, notified city leaders of his decision earlier this week. He will begin working in Ammon on March 29.

“We wish Micah all the best as he pursues this new professional challenge and we thank him for his service and commitment to Ketchum during the last three years,” said Ketchum Mayor Neil Bradshaw. “Micah’s leadership, energy and ideas were on display throughout his tenure here, from his role in helping rewrite the city’s zoning code to his steady hand during the flooding of 2017.”

Bradshaw said a process is underway to identify an interim and long-term solution to the vacancy.

Before coming to Ketchum, Austin served as Community Development Director for the City of Hailey. In 2015, Austin began Phase 1 of rewriting the city’s zoning code, eliminating more than 200 pages of the code and modernizing the structure and layout of the ordinance. Those efforts were recognized by the Association of Idaho Cities, which awarded Ketchum with the best zoning rewrite of 2016.

In October 2017, the City of Ketchum was designated an International Dark Sky Community. Austin supervised and guided the application process for this designation, which helped Ketchum and its partners obtain designation as an International Dark Sky Reserve.

Austin also led the drafting of zoning regulations dealing with design review, floodplain, snow storage, signage and gas stations; changes that have helped to enhance economic development opportunities and bring regulations into alignment with the city’s Comprehensive Plan and values.

During his tenure, the Planning and Building Department issued 424 building permits totaling more than $186 million in property value and processed 442 planning applications.

“I am truly grateful for my time serving the Ketchum community and all the work that has been accomplished,” said Austin, adding the move is largely driven by family and career growth. “While it’s difficult to move on, I’m also eager to tackle the new challenges and responsibilities with the City of Ammon.”