Sussex set to name new County Engineer
Hans Medlarz, hired in 2015, to retire later this spring
By GEORGETOWN — Sussex County administration is expected to name its new county engineer during its regular meeting tomorrow, according to the published agenda.
Hans Medlarz, of Milford, was first hired by the county in 2015 and announced his retirement in early December.
The agenda and published information packet for Tuesday’s meeting has no further information on Mr. Medlarz’s successor.
“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,” Mr. Medlarz, said in a release at the time of his retirement announcement. “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, 60, of Milford, is a native of Germany who said he comes from a long line of contractors and craftsmen. Since graduating college, Mr. Medlarz earned his professional certification while working in the private sector for engineering consulting firms, then went on to public life as the top engineer for neighboring Kent County. There, he oversaw a department of nearly 90 employees that was responsible for, among other duties, public wastewater and solid waste collection.
In 2015, the county reported the role of County Engineer oversees a staff of nearly 150 people in nine divisions that are responsible for designing, constructing and maintaining county government projects. In 2015, engineering was reported to be the largest department within the County government.
County Administrator Todd F. Lawson, said in December, “Hans is one of the best engineers in the state, and Sussex County has benefited tremendously from his tenure with us. 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 coworker and as a friend, and I will miss his energy and passion,” Mr. Lawson said.
Staff writer Brian Gilliland can be reached at 410-603-3737 or bgilliland@iniusa.org.
