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Council appoints retired city manager Dave Derflinger as interim public-works director during military leave
Summary
Council approved appointing former city manager David Derflinger as an extra-help, interim public-works director to provide administrative oversight while the current public-works director takes military leave; appointment begins July 15 and runs through Oct. 31, 2025 (with some flexibility), using budgeted funds.
The Carpinteria City Council on July 14 approved hiring retired city manager David Derflinger as an extra-help interim public-works director while the department director is on extended military training leave. The appointment will allow continuity of department oversight, including personnel, contracts, capital projects and budget management.
Terms and timing: Derflinger meets CalPERS retired-annuitant rules for temporary appointments. Staff requested the council adjust the start date to July 15 to allow an overlap for orientation; council approved the adjusted start. Derflinger will not serve strictly on a full-time schedule every week; John (city staff) will remain the city engineer and the arrangement anticipates varied weekly hours depending on departmental needs. The city has budgeted for the interim coverage in its fiscal plan and no additional appropriation was needed.
Why it matters: City staff framed the appointment as a continuity measure to manage capital projects and departmental operations during the public-works director's extended military service. Council members welcomed Derflinger's institutional knowledge and said it will help maintain project delivery while recruiting and onboarding other staff such as the new public-works manager starting July 28.
