Carpinteria City Manager Dave Durflinger has announced that he will be retiring by the end of the calendar year. His announcement was made to City Council and all City staff this week.
“It has been my honor and privilege to serve the Carpinteria community for the past 24 years (in the role of City Manager since July 2001), and to work alongside such great people,” Durflinger said “Any success that I have had I owe to the team—a team made up of dedicated staff members, City Council leaders and involved community members.”
Under Durflinger’s leadership, the City organization has played an important role in helping Carpinteria remain a unique and vital small beach town that is well positioned to take on the challenges that lie ahead.
“Dave has not only provided his skills, intelligence and vast knowledge of the Carpinteria on a 24/7 basis for the City but he is also a resident and valued member of the community,” said Carpinteria Mayor Al Clark “Dave has established a strong, stable and consistent government for over 20 years. Dave is irreplaceable.”
The organization has moved toward being more representative of Carpinteria, reflecting the community in both the people that work for the City and by the community voices that influence decision-making.
In his closing remarks to Council via a memorandum and staff via an email, Durflinger noted, “I’d like to emphasize that nothing will change at the City in the near term. My priority is to leave the organization in capable hands. I want to allow the City Council sufficient time to plan and facilitate this transition and to provide time for some overlap with the new City Manager prior to my retirement.”
In addition to setting a policy agenda, the City Council is responsible for hiring for the positions of City Manager and Legal Counsel. No timeline or process has been set for hiring Durflinger’s successor.
“My employment with the City has afforded my family and me many wonderful opportunities and experiences we would not otherwise have had, none more important than being part of a true community. For that I am eternally grateful,” said Durflinger.
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