OTTAWA — Franklin County commissioners have picked the city administrator of Odessa, Mo., to be the county’s next administrator. Commissioners voted this morning to offer a contract to Jon Holmes. Holmes has been Odessa’s administrator for three years. Prior to that he worked for county and city governments in Nebraska and Laramie, Wyo., his home town. Holmes has extensive experience in the nuts-and-bolts operation of municipal and county government, commission chair Steve Harris said. Odessa aldermen and officials give Holmes high markes, Harris said. Depending on the length of contract negotiations, Harris said he hopes to have Holmes start Oct. 1.
Holmes would succeed Lisa Johnson, who served as both administrator and county counselor. Johnson resigned to become the chief counsel for Ottawa University.
Wednesday, Sept. 10, 1 p.m.
