The upcoming retirement of Thousand Oaks City Clerk Nancy Dillon brings the total number of retirements of longtime city leaders to three since last April.

Don Nelson, currently interim assistant city manager, is also retiring in December after 28 years with the city. Before being named to his current post last spring, Nelson headed the city’s public works department.

The retirements of Dillon and Nelson come just months after the departure of former City Manager Phil Gatch, who served the city for 38 years. “It is with sadness that we see these longtime employees leave, especially after so many years,” said Mayor Claudia Bill-de la Peña. “Management and staff are preparing for the transition. Everyday functions will certainly continue as usual.”

To help ease the transition, two current employees have been named to replace Dillon and Nelson. Deputy City Clerk Linda Lawrence will be the new city clerk. Mark Watkins has already been named public works director, replacing Nelson.

The city hasn’t yet decided on a permanent city manager. Currently, Scott Mitnick, former assistant city manager under Gatch, is serving as interim city manager. He is being considered for the position.

Dillon and Nelson leave just as the city begins to move into a new era of maturity, one of maintenance rather than the growth experienced since the city’s incorporation in 1964. New issues to be faced include an aging infrastructure.

“It is a costly endeavor to maintain all the things we have in the city,” said Councilman Dennis Gillette. He credits Nelson and Dillon with helping to oversee the successful development of Thousand Oaks.

“They have done an exceptional job,” Gillette said.

––Sophia Fischer