Hans Medlarz

PHOTO COURTESY OF SUSSEX COUNTY

Sussex County Administrative Office Building
2 The Circle
Georgetown, DE 19947
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GEORGETOWN — Sussex County’s top engineer has designs on the next phase of his life: retirement.

Hans M. Medlarz, who was appointed county engineer in 2015, announced Tuesday that he will retire from the post in early 2024.

However, he will remain working for several months to close out a variety of projects and assist his yet-to-be-named successor.

Mr. Medlarz said that, after some six decades of service in both the public and private sectors, now is the time to move into retirement. He thanked officials for entrusting him in his position, the third-highest appointment in county government.

“I believe the County Council and the leadership of the county have supported me in initiating some pretty substantial projects and implementing technological improvements that I believe have really moved Sussex County forward,” said Mr. Medlarz, a Milford resident.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to have served the people of Sussex County and for having this organization be the positive note that culminates 45 years of professional engineering. It’s been very satisfying.”

Mr. Medlarz achieved a number of accomplishments during his tenure, including implementing a reimbursement process for private development’s use of publicly funded infrastructure; the expansion of the South Coastal Regional Wastewater Facility; negotiating multiple partnerships with other private and municipal utility providers, including the city of Rehoboth Beach and the Lewes Board of Public Works; and rewriting county codes as they relate to land use and water and sewer utilities.

County administrator Todd F. Lawson, who has worked closely with Mr. Medlarz, praised him for his professionalism and understanding of wastewater and other complex engineering concepts.

“Hans is one of the best engineers in the state, and Sussex County has benefited tremendously from his tenure with us,” Mr. Lawson said. “On a personal note, I have enjoyed my time with Hans — literally in the trenches — working on numerous issues in the engineering world. Hans has taught me a lot as a co-worker and as a friend, and I will miss his energy and passion.”

County Council President Michael H. Vincent concurred.

“It has been a true pleasure working with Hans, someone who always looks for the solution and will find it every time. He is a true professional and a positive influence on everyone in our organization,” he said. “I will truly miss our relationship in working together, and I wish him all the best in his retirement.”

The role of county engineer is a significant appointment in Sussex County, as it oversees a staff of nearly 180 people in five divisions who are responsible for designing, constructing and maintaining county projects.

Engineering is the single-largest department within county government, employing engineers, project managers, draftspersons, construction technicians, wastewater operators, electricians and maintenance crews, among others.

Prior to joining Sussex County in 2015, Mr. Medlarz served as the lead engineer for Kent County. He also has experience in the private sector and holds a Master of Science degree in engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Named Delaware Engineer of the Year for 2018, he also is a past president of the Delaware Association of Professional Engineers and the acting chair of the state’s Water Infrastructure Advisory Council.

The county’s focus turns to replacing Mr. Medlarz, who informed officials earlier this fall of his intention to retire. Since then, a search has been conducted, and council members voted Tuesday to offer the position to an interviewed candidate. If the individual accepts, the county will name and have the engineer on board in January 2024.