The Des Moines County Board of Supervisors has agreed to fill a vacancy in the prosecutor's office.
The position became open following the resignation of Assistant County Attorney Jennifer Bailey. She stepped down April 11 to take another job.
Acting County Attorney Amy Beavers says it's critical to replace Bailey as quickly as possible.
She says her office has just one attorney handling traffic and misdemeanor cases.
"We have two district associate judges that both handle those dockets, so we really need two misdemeanor attorneys. One in each of those courtrooms."
Beavers says it will be considered an entry-level position, so there will be a roughly $10,000 savings on salary.
This potential hiring comes as another personnel issue in the department remains up in the air.
County Attorney Pat Jackson took an indefinite leave of absence several weeks ago. Further details about the leave have not been made public.
Acting County Attorney Amy Beavers says if Jackson's leave exceeds 60 days, the supervisors could consider the position vacant and appoint a new county attorney or hold a special election.
Jackson's current term expires in January and he is not seeking re-election.
In the meantime, Beavers is handling the duties of Acting County Attorney and Senior Assistant County Attorney.
COURTHOUSE IMPROVEMENTS
Meanwhile, crews started working on Monday to replace the steps in front of the Des Moines County Courthouse.
In fact, they had to take an hour-long break Tuesday morning so the Board of Supervisors could hold its weekly meeting.
The steps will be replaced by ones that look similar but include a heating system to prevent the need for spreading salt each winter.
The roughly $40,000 will be paid for using money the county borrowed for infrastructure improvements.ond the county received in 2013 for capital projects.
