Hines City Administrator Judy Erwin has announced that she will be retiring from her position as of Jan. 1, 2019.

“It’s time,” Erwin said. “I’ve worked my whole life, and now I’d like to spend more time with my family, children, and grandchildren, and travel more.”

Erwin took over the city administrator position in June 2016 and has seen the city come through with some major accomplishments in the time that she has served in her position.

The city completed the Master Water Plan, secured funding for the water project, and figured out a way to get the sewer lift station (which serves the south end of the city) repaired.

Erwin stated that she’s not taking credit for the accomplishments; she just happened to be in the position when they happened.

“It’s kind of like that song says, ‘I just stepped outside when everything was going right,’ ” she said with a laugh. “Hines is kind of booming right now with new homes and businesses, so I’m more hopeful for the future.”

Although she will no longer have a position in local government, Erwin plans to stay involved by serving on the Harney County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and attending civic meetings.

“I don’t want the momentum we have now to slow down,” she said. “The two cities and the county are working cooperatively right now, and I think we can do more collectively than alone.”

As for the next city administrator, Erwin says she hopes the person has more background in land use than she had when she began.

“With all the building going on, that is going to be important in the coming year,” Erwin said.

She added that the next administrator should also strive to maintain a good relationship with the Burns and county governments, as well as the citizens of Hines.

“Everybody deserves to be listened to,” she said.