The Platte City Board of Aldermen approved a contract extension for city administrator DJ Gehrt in closed session during the Tuesday, Jan. 27 regular meeting held at Platte City City Hall. The new agreement runs through Dec. 1, 2016. Originally hired in November of 2011, Gehrt’s contract was set to expire on Dec. 1, 2015. He will not receive any additional compensation for the and his salary will remain set at the agreed upon salary for the term set to expire in 2015, save for a possible cost of living adjustment, according to a copy of the contract.
Platte City mayor Frank Offutt officially signed the new agreement on Thursday, Jan. 29.
Gehrt previously served as city administrator in Plattsburg, Mo. Since arriving in Platte City, he’s helped balance the operating budget for city services, while also playing a vital role in economic development projects. Those include the purchase and pending development of land east of Interstate 29 at Highway HH and the planned project to add a second entrance/exit to QuikTrip and McDonald’s, creating a four-way intersection at Kentucky Avenue and Highway 92.
The start of both projects could occur this spring during the construction season.
Platte City’s revenues have remained mostly flat during Gehrt’s tenure until a slight bump this year. His emphasis for the local government continues to center around increasing sales tax revenues in an attempt to grow the budget, which remains balanced with healthy reserves.