Traverse City Attorney, Public Services Director Both Announce Departures

Every legal appeal Traverse City brought to a higher court over Lauren Trible-Laucht's nearly 15 years as city attorney came back the same way: a unanimous win. The city announced last week that Trible-Laucht submitted her resignation, the same stretch in which Director of Public Services Frank Dituri informed the city he would retire, leaving two senior posts open simultaneously while water contracts, street projects, park decisions, and downtown development are all on the active calendar.

Trible-Laucht, city attorney since 2011, is contractually required to give 90 days' notice; her final day falls in June. Dituri's retirement takes effect April 17, though he agreed to assist part-time during the transition. The city called the back-to-back announcements "a notable shift in Traverse City's senior staff during an active period for municipal projects and planning."

With ongoing appeals, water and street contracts, park and camp decisions, and active downtown development all requiring legal continuity, June is now the working deadline for the city to identify a successor. The city commission is expected to take up next steps at a future meeting; no interim-counsel arrangement has been announced.

"This is a decision I made independently and one that I believe is right for me," Trible-Laucht said. "Public service is in my DNA, and I look forward to remaining in Traverse City and continuing to contribute in other capacities."

Mayor Amy Shamroe called her "a steadfast and trusted city attorney, bringing a sharp legal mind and unwavering commitment to public service." City Manager Benjamin Marentette said her "magnificent skill as an attorney is unequivocally demonstrated by her winning every case unanimously on appeal in higher courts." During her tenure, Trible-Laucht also served as president of both the Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys and the Grand Traverse-Leelanau-Antrim Bar Association.

As director of public services, Dituri oversaw the city's maintenance, streets, and public works portfolio. No statement from him was included in the city's announcement.

Marentette also confirmed he has made a conditional offer to a new fire chief for the Traverse City Fire Department, though the candidate was not named. Streets Superintendent Chris Weber, whose department falls within the public services division Dituri is vacating, was named the city's 2025 Employee of the Year.