Scott County merging emergency manager and developer posts

BENTON, Mo. -- Scott County is combining its emergency management and county development positions, Scott County commissioners announced Tuesday.

Emergency management director Joe Burton is retiring at the end of the year, according to Presiding Commissioner Jamie Burger.

Joel Evans, the county developer, will add emergency management to his duties beginning Jan. 1.

Commissioners said combining the positions will help in their efforts to cut costs as they struggle to balance the budget and maintain services with the imminent sunset of the half-cent law enforcement sales tax.

Burger said Burton has "done a lot of good for this county. He's been the main promoter for the 911 in this county as we know it."

Burton has served as emergency management director since 1995. He assumed responsibility for establishing the county's enhanced 911 system at the county's dispatching center in Morley in 1997 and in 2005 oversaw the creation of the Scott County Communications Center at the Scott County Jail in Benton.

"He's done an excellent job, and we're definitely going to miss him," Commissioner Dennis Ziegenhorn said. "We're very fortunate to have someone that will take over his position that will do an excellent job, too."

As county developer, Evans has worked closely with emergency services and law enforcement in grant administration projects.

"It will be a challenge to juggle the responsibilities for what were two full-time positions," Evans said, adding, "But I will do my best to ensure a level of service that the citizens of Scott County deserve."

In addition to his education in business administration, Evans' background includes almost 20 years of volunteer experience in fire service. He has served the Scott County Rural Fire Protection District as a firefighter, fire service instructor, EMT, officer and currently serves as a member of its board of directors.

Burger said having Evans assume emergency management duties will enable the county to move forward without a lapse in applying for grant opportunities, noting that most of the grant money available for counties recently has been through emergency management channels.

Evans said Burton developed an impressive network of professionals and volunteers over the years as resources for the various programs of emergency management.

"They each have their own niche in which they offer expertise. Now more than ever, we will rely on the experience and knowledge of those willing to volunteer in emergency management," he said.