Board honors Planning Director Stephen J. Ingfer as he retires after two decades of service

The Mariposa County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a resolution Wednesday recognizing Stephen J. Ingfer on his retirement and presented him with a plaque after colleagues, staff and community members praised his decades of county service.

Daniel Bancho, Clerk of the Board, told the chamber Ingfer had been a mentor and a steady hand in the planning office: "He has a very kind heart," Bancho said, thanking Ingfer for years of service and mentorship. The boards resolution (Res. No. 026) traces Ingfers county career to July 7, 2000, and lists management of landfill and recycling operations, major planning projects and leadership on updates to development code and Title 16— 17 and 18.

In his final presentation to the board as planning director, Ingfer gave a detailed overview of the departments functions, staffing and active projects. He described the departments mission "to provide our clients with professional service and accurate information in a respectful, courteous, and enthusiastic manner, resulting in a well planned rural environment," and walked through staffing changes, permitting work, the departments role as the lead agency under CEQA, and ongoing grants and projects.

Ingfer highlighted recent and active projects the department manages, including the online permitting implementation (Tyler), publication of a zoning layer in GIS, and large capital efforts such as the Creek Parkway and multiple private development projects. He told the board the county currently manages a portfolio of grant awards totaling about $21,000,000 and listed 11 active grants the department administers.

On code compliance, Ingfer said staff had processed 182 cases and that the Title 1 enforcement/code update remains a work in progress. "Theres been quite a few recommendations by the code compliance advisory committee that are built out of a lot of work," he said, noting that earlier full-code drafts were perceived as too punitive and that the ad hoc committee had been working through language to balance enforcement with cost-recovery and amnesty features.

Supervisor remarks and public testimony emphasized Ingfers institutional knowledge and collegiality. Joel Lynch, County Administrative Officer, said Ingfer would be missed and praised his willingness to help staff and the community navigate complex planning issues.

The board adopted the retirement resolution by unanimous vote and Ingfer, in brief remarks, thanked colleagues, staff and "the great team" he worked with. He said he was "bitter" about unfinished items but "sweet" about having more time with family in retirement.

The board issued direction to staff on the development services consolidation work and on continuing the Tyler project implementation; Ingfer and staff recorded several outstanding items that will be carried forward by the incoming development services director and county management.

Next steps: the resolution was entered into the record and the board presented a plaque; Ingfer will vacate the director position at the end of the week, and county staff will continue the Development Services consolidation and Title 1 drafting efforts.

Sources: Clerk Daniel Bancho; Planning Director Stephen J. Ingfer; County Administrative Officer Joel Lynch.