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16Iam very excited to have this opportunity to serve Kansas Counties as KAC%u2019s Local Road Engineer. I follow in the footsteps of two highly respected former County Engineers, Keith Browning and Norm Bowers, who I have always considered mentors. Prior to joining KAC, I served as the County Engineer and Director of Public Works for Butler County for 32 years of my 36-year public career until my retirement (under KPERS) in March 2024. The Butler County Engineer%u2019s office was set up as a Public Works Department by County resolution in the 1970s. The primary functions of the Public Works Department included road and bridge maintenance, project planning, design, construction, and inspection. The department also operated a county-owned Subtitle D municipal solid waste landfill and has been involved in a multitude of solid waste management operations. Most of the knowledge I have gained has come from learning from others over time and from my own experiences, whether positive or negative. I started at an early age and had to learn a lot along the way. I have always considered myself blessed to have worked under many County Commissions and a County Administrator who allowed us great flexibility in carrying out the county%u2019s mission and with staff (who I considered my co-workers) who whole-heartedly supported our department and took ownership in all that we were charged to do. I will share more about my background in upcoming County Comment articles.I look forward to this new chapter in my career as your Local Road Engineer. I want to continue to learn as much as possible from all my county highway department peers across the state and to share what I learn. In addition to each county%u2019s annual fee supporting this position, KDOT funds half of my salary with a goal of providing a resource person for all Kansas County highway departments to stay up to date on critical programs and policies and to take advantage of funding opportunities. My goal is to keep Kansas Counties apprised of current and new regulatory requirements, funding program opportunities, and to provide tools and insights that will help county highway departments be successful. The best learning opportunities are often found in other peoples%u2019 experiences as well as our own. The best way for me to succeed is to hear from you about what you have going on in your county and any challenges that you are dealing with that could benefit others. I also have the opportunity to serve on many different committees to provide valuable County Highway Department perspectives and to influence policymaking and create training opportunities that best serve our Kansas Counties. I look forward to seeing you at your upcoming spring district meetings as well as at the Kansas County Highway Association Annual Spring Conference and Exposition. You can best reach me by email at lutz@kansascounties.org or by phone at (316) 322-5165. nPASSING OF THE BATON: MEET KAC%u2019S NEW LOCAL ROAD ENGINEER DARRYL LUTZBy Darryl Lutz, KAC Local Road EngineerPlease help us welcome KAC%u2019s New Local Road Engineer Darryl Lutz! Darryl has hit the ground running, and we are excited to have him on board as he will continue to do great things in his new Local Road Engineer role. Welcome Aboard Darryl!