Planning director says retirement is bittersweet

Mariposa County Planning Director Steve Engfer retired last Friday, describing the experience as bittersweet.

“I would like to have accomplished some more that’s on the docket,” he said, mentioning the new development code specifically.

“The other bittersweet part is there’s a good team. There’s a lot of really great people working here, and I’ll miss that,” he said.

The praise he received last week was universal and heartfelt, as colleagues and elected leaders described a policy wonk who never lost sight of the people behind the plans, charts and graphs.

“You have one of the kindest hearts I know,” said Mariposa County Supervisor Jenni Kiser, who mentioned a phone call from Engfer when her father was in the hospital.

“One of the kindest men I’ve ever known in my life,” said Supervisor Shannon Poe, who invited Engfer on a tour his gold claim. An offer “he doesn’t extend to anyone.”

County Administrative Officer Joe Lynch called Engfer “one of the kindest humans I know,” who “definitely left his mark.”

Lynch thanked Engfer, and his wife, for staying an extra four months beyond his retirement date.

Engfer, 58, still plans to be involved in the civic life of the community, through his church, his love of rock music and whatever else might come his way.

Engfer has been planning director for three years.

He previously served nine years as the deputy director and a senior planner in the department.

His career in Mariposa County began in 2000 when he was hired as a planner.

In May 2003, he took over the role of Solid Waste and Recycling Manager with the Public Works Department, during a crucial county takeover of the landfill and recycling center operations.

He left the county in 2007 to work as a planner with the Daly City Economic and Community Development Department.

He returned to the Mariposa Planning Department in 2013.

He has worked internationally for the Millennium Institute and Bioeconomy Africa in Ethiopia, which focuses on eradicating poverty through environmentally sustainable development and education.

Engfer suggested mission work of some kind will likely continue through his church, New Life Calvary Chapel in Bootjack.

“I’ve got a whole list of things to do,” he said.

Enjoying time with his family, kids and grandkids are at the top of that list.

He plans on engaging in some community activities and volunteer work as well, he said.

“But I’m going to give myself a little bit of time,” he added.

Engfer’s departure comes as the planning department is being merged with the building and environmental health departments into an overarching Development Services Department.

The county is currently in the process of hiring a director for that consolidated department.

Engfer, who developed a reputation for being slightly long winded, summarized the predicament rather succinctly.

“Somebody else comes in and picks up the hammer and the chisel, and starts chipping away the stone, right?”