VIDEO: Los Altos Town Clerk Karen Jost Retires

Town Clerk and longtime staff member Karen Jost made her last appearance at Los Altos Town Hall Thursday evening, to accolades and commendations.

Jost, who first joined the town staff in 1990 as assistant to the City Engineer and City Manager, called the moment "bittersweet."

She received a resolution of commendation from the California Assembly and from the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. They observed, in part, her many responsibilities, official and unofficial, in service to the town.

As Town Clerk, Jost attended every Town Council meeting, preparing the public meeting notices and agendas, assuring accurate minutes, keeping town records and document updated and organized. She supported many of the town's volunteer committees, distributing the agendas and minutes, and planned and facilitated the annual Volunteer Luncheon.

She also, in the county commendation sponsored by Supervisor Liz Kniss, made sure that candidates for all political office positions and Town officials "were acquainted and compliant with the Fair Political Practices Commission rules and procedures," something any newbie would say is invaluable.

Jost also had the task of being the town's public information officer, held custody of City Seal. And, in a commendation from the Assembly, sponsored by state Senator Joe Simitian and Assembly Member Rich Gordon, she "became a mentor to Department employees at all levels who have benefited from her wise counsel."

Jost actually worked for the town in two stints. She left the town in employ in 1993, then served as a volunteer for ten years on the Los Altos Hills County Fire District Board of Directors. In 2002 she was rehired by the town as town clerk until her retirement in May 2011.

She did so after great thought, she told Los Altos Patch. In February she discovered she had lung cancer, even though she never smoked, she said. She is doing well with treatment now, but has decided that an early retirement was best.

"I have to say that working for the town of Los Altis Hills has been both an honor and a privilege," Jost told the Town Council Thursday evening.

"I think I have the best elected officials in the state sitting right here."

She called City Manager Carl Cahill "a generous and kind, and encouraging leader," and praised the town's "dedicated small staff that I’d put up against a staff of hundred." And she gave kudos to the town's "wonderful community of volunteers."

"So it was bittersweet to step down, it’s wonderful to get the accolades, but I already miss the job," she said. 

"What the fancy plaques are not saying is that we love you" said Town Councilman Jean Mordo. "Not just that we appreciate what you do, but we love you. And we’ll miss you a lot."

"I second that," said Councilman Rich Larsen.

Jost said she'll watch town business with interest from her home in San Antonio Hills, an unincorporated part of Santa Clara County that is next to Los Altos Hills. The county periodically asks municipalities if they choose to take those pockets of land under their control.

 "Thank you very much," she said, then added, to much laughter quipped: "And anytime you want to annex my neighborhood …"

And then she departed.