Astoria City Manager Paul Benoit has submitted his resignation.

Benoit will be departing at the end of next month. He has held the position with the city for nearly nine years.

In essence I am retiring from Astoria, I am retiring from Oregon public employment, and I am going to be taking a job in California, Benoit said.

He informed the City Council pf his departure Friday. Over the weekend, he was still alerting department directors about the move.

Im a finalist in two different cities and I dont want to name one now until things are finalized, but I am confident its going to happen, he said.

Prior to becoming the city manager of Astoria, Benoit served as Community Development Director for 17 years, beginning in 1986. He then left for Alameda, Calif., where he served as director of development services and then assistant city manager.

Benoit returned to the city in the mid-2000s and took over as the city manager. Hes the second-longest serving Astoria city manager.

Eight-plus years is a good run, Benoit said. And Ive been totally happy here.

Nationally, he said, the average city manager serves five years and Benoit would rather leave a little too early than too late.

Theres no reason for me to go other than I really like a challenge and I like change, Benoit said. And, as hard as it was for me to leave Astoria the first time around, going to the Bay Area was just invigorating. Everything is different, all the people are different, the city government is different, and youve got to find your way. And it was fun.

So I am thinking in my ninth year, why not do it again?

There is perhaps one motivation for choosing California and that is the birth of his first grandson 10 months ago. Benoits son, Daniel, lives in California with his wife and their child. A second baby is on the way.

Sunny weather, a change, a challenge, my family, what more could you ask for? Benoit said of his new location.

Of the things Benoit is most proud of in his career with the city, is hiring a great staff who he is confident can keep the city moving in the right direction and carry on with whomever the new city manager will be.

“I support Paul 100 percent in his decision,” Mayor Willis Van Dusen said. “He has been an excellent city manager and a very good friend. He’s assembled an excellent staff and the city is in a good financial position. And the many team projects that have been completed under his leadership speak for themselves.

“He is leaving Astoria in excellent shape.”

Hiring a new city manager is a council decision and will be addressed at a later date.

The city where Benoit will be heading is expected to be revealed next week.