Karlinsey hired as new Moses Lake city manager

MOSES LAKE — Robert Karlinsey, currently the city manager of Kenmore has been hired as the new Moses Lake city manager. Moses Lake City Council members hired Karlinsey on a unanimous vote in a special meeting Jan. 21. 

Karlinsey will replace Mike Jackson, who had been the acting city manager following the resignation of Kevin Fuhr in July 2024. Fuhr retired for health reasons. Moses Lake Finance Director Madeline Prentice is the interim city manager. 

Under Moses Lake’s form of government, the city manager serves as the chief executive of the city, working under the direction of the council. 

Karlinsey is scheduled to start March 24. He has been Kenmore city manager since 2012, and prior to that was the city manager in Gig Harbor and deputy city manager in University Place. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and master’s degree in public administration, both from Brigham Young University. 

Karlinsey said he first became interested in Moses Lake when he saw a story a few years ago on an innovative industry in the area.  

“I’ve been fascinated with Moses Lake for a couple of years now,” he said.  

Moses Lake has, he said, a variety of industries, ranging from farming to aerospace to manufacturing, and a strong jobs base. It was also attractive because it’s what he called a “full-service city,” he said. 

Moses Lake has its own fire and police departments, a substantial parks and recreation program in addition to all the other city services, he said. Kenmore, which is near Seattle on the northeast shore of Lake Washington, lacks some of those departments, he said. 

“Moses Lake is a really different experience, and I’m really excited about that,” he said. “Moses Lake is taking my career to the next level.” 

The city does have some things in common with Kenmore, he said, including limited resources. Kenmore is mostly a residential city, and as a result, doesn’t have a big tax base. 

“A limited tax base means doing more with less,” he said. 

Karlinsey said he talked with some of the city staff during the hiring process and was encouraged by the people he met. 

“(Moses Lake) has a good strong leadership team,” he said. 

He said he was impressed by the council members as well. 

“I can tell they want the best for Moses Lake,” he said. 

Moses Lake Mayor Dustin Swartz said Karlinsey seemed like a good choice for the city. 

“Rob is a very thoughtful and professional leader whose track record indicates a true passion for the job,” Swartz wrote in a city press release. “Rob knew from an early age that his career path would be in public service and his progression in the field shows a willingness to take on all the job has to offer. As a growing city with an abundance of resources and opportunities, we believe we can offer Rob the opportunity to grow even more and to provide the stability, knowledge, professionalism and hard work that is vital to the success of our city.” 

Moses Lake has its own challenges – water availability and infrastructure among others – but it’s also got strengths to meet those challenges, Karlinsey said.  

“It’s got good bones,” he said.