Commission approves hire, signs bridge paperwork

The Pettis County Commission on Thursday signed off on a new hire for the Pettis County Sheriff’s Department.

The department hired Peggy M. Sargent as a full-time corrections officer. Sargent will be paid $10.35 per hour, rising to $10.89 per hour after six months. She will also receive a $55 uniform allowance.

Also at the meeting, the commission signed paperwork to start replacement work on bridges on Easter and Wells Roads. Road and Bridge Superintendent Bill Connor said work on the bridges likely would not start until next year.

Also for the Road and Bridge Department, the commission opened bids on a road tractor. The department received two bids, both from Kansas City-based Midway Sterling Western Star.

The company bid a 2001 Sterling with 489,000 miles for $25,908, and a 2004 Sterling with 330,000 miles for $42,850.

The commission further extended an unpaid leave of absence for county employee Doug Retherford, who is working under contract with the State Department in Iraq.

All three commissioners were present for the morning meeting, which took place in their chambers on the second floor of the Pettis County Courthouse,. Presiding Commissioner Rusty Kahrs left mid-meeting to attend a conference call on the county’s storm shelters.