For 17 years, Gail Como has been the first person residents meet at Gearhart City Hall.

At a City Council meeting this month, City Administrator Chad Sweet announced Como’s decision to retire May 1.

“Everything goes through Gail,” Sweet said. “She’s integral to us. She’s going to be hard to replace, but I’m looking forward to her being retired. We’re happy for her.”

Como serves full-time as treasurer, water clerk and administrative assistant. A job description posted by the city advertises “a little adventure every day,” with tasks that include accounting, bookkeeping, elk management, short-term rentals and parks planning.

“Gail took me in when I became city administrator,” Sweet said. “She showed me the ropes. She’s an extremely strong woman. Even though the city’s daily work is incredible sometimes, she was always calm, cool and collected. She just took it all in stride.”

Como, raised in Ridgefield, Washington, worked in offices in Portland before coming to Gearhart in 2004. She and her husband, Randy, will remain in Gearhart. Their daughter, Jill, lives in Vancouver, Washington. She has three stepsons, Tony, Randy and Josh.

Como plans on pursuing hobbies, including refinishing an old treadle Singer sewing machine dating to 1889.

“I’ve met so many great people here in town and I’ll miss interacting with them on the phone and in person,” she said. “It always brought joy to my heart to hang out with some of these folks that are going through tough times or good times.

“I’ll sure miss all the people I work with too,” she added.