Scott County Circuit Clerk announces her retirement

BENTON, Mo. -- After more than 25 years of service, Scott County's Circuit Court Clerk has decided to retire.

"I have sent a formal letter of resignation to the Governor's office and to the chairman of the Democratic Central Committee," Pam Glastetter of Benton, circuit court clerk for Scott County, confirmed Monday. "My official resignation date is Nov. 30."

Glastetter is in the third year of her fourth four-year term in office.

"Having served as circuit clerk for 15 years, and as a deputy circuit clerk for 11 years before then, this was not an easy decision to make," she said. "My years of serving the residents of Scott County have been most rewarding. I appreciate the support I have received from them -- and my staff."

Asked about the reason for her resignation, Glastetter said she wants to spend more time with her family and has some health issues which, while not life threatening, did influence her decision.

Due to her years of service and age, Glastetter became eligible for full retirement benefits from the state this year.

With a little over 14 months remaining, an appointment will be made by Gov. Jay Nixon to fill the unexpired term.

The Scott County Democratic Central Committee will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Scott County Courthouse to accept applications for the person they will recommend for the appointment.

The circuit court clerk is responsible for filing and maintaining all the records of the court systems within the county.

"The circuit clerk of Scott County is responsible for 16 clerks and assisting the circuit judge, two associate judges, the drug court commissioner and all out-of-county judges that may be assigned to a Scott County case," Glastetter said.

Last fiscal year, the office initiated over 11,000 filings, according to Glastetter.

"Based on Scott County's weighted workload study, we were found to be understaffed by 4.5 clerks," she noted. "With the state of the budget, the future does not look favorable for additional staff. It is imperative to find ways to work more efficiently, always doing more with less."