There's a big change coming to Moncton City Hall as CBC has learned city manager Jacques Dubé is planning to retire.

Jacques Dubé said when he was hired five years ago that he planned to stay on for three to five years as Moncton's city manager. (CBC) Dubé broke the news to senior managers and city councillors this week, telling them he plans to step down either by July or the end of the year.

A For Sale sign went up in front of Dubé's house on the weekend.

Dubé was hired five years ago after an extensive across-Canada search by city council.

One of his main tasks was to get federal and provincial funding for the city's proposed $107-million downtown centre, which still has an uncertain future.

Dubé has close ties to the federal and provincial Tories.

There was a lawn sign in front of his house for Moncton Progressive Conservative candidate and now MLA Ernie Steeves during the provincial election in September 2014.

Dubé was also a deputy minister in Bernard Lord's government and after that he served as chief of staff in Ottawa to Greg Thompson, who was the regional minister for New Brunswick in Stephen Harper's government before moving to Moncton.

Dubé declined a request for an interview with CBC, but stated he has no immediate plans to retire.

When he was hired he said he planned to spend three to five years as city manager.

He has also told staff that with municipal elections next May, it would be appropriate for him to leave in time for council to find a replacement since it would be unfair to a new council if he were to retire after only one or two years after their election.