Jason Putnam promoted to corporal

Officer Jason Putnam was offically promoted to patrol corporal by Police Chief Don Melton during the Webb City Council meeting Monday.

Melton said Putnam, who has been with the department since 2018, “has excelled as a police patrol officer, leading to this promotion. I appreciate Jason’s hard work and dedication to our department.”

Putnam has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration from Missouri Southern State University. He has been recognized by the Missouri Law Enforcement Traffic Safety Advisory Council for his commitment to impaired driving arrests three out of the last four years.

In addition to being a patrol officer, he was recently certified as a drug recognition expert. He is a field training officer and a member of the police department’s special response team.

In other action, the council:

• Accepted the mayoral appointment of Kris Drake to the Jasper County Missouri Extension Council. Ragsdale said it only recently came to his attention that Webb City is supposed to have a representative on the extension council.

• Approved the budgeted purchase of a hot water pressure washer for the wastewater department. William Runkle, wastewater director, reports that it is needed to clean and disinfect the equipment used in clearing sewer backups and lift station pumps when working on them. HyFlo of Pittsburg, Kan., submitted a bid of $7,400, which was deemed the lowest and best of three bids received.

• Was informed the Blevins street-paving crew is expected to arrive in Webb City next week.