Mike Short, the county engineer for 10 years recently retired, but he was hired back on a contracted basis last week by the Walker County Commission.
Short’s resignation letter was dated effective Feb. 28, and at the March 6 meeting of the county commission, Glenn Peek, formerly the assistant engineer, was named as Short’s replacement.
During the March 20 meeting, the commission voted to hire Short as a contract laborer engineer consultant.
“The engineering department is short-handed with several projects coming up this summer,” District 2 Commissioner Jeff Burrough said on March 20. “We will be looking for more help in department, but this will help us out a lot as we find someone else to be the assistant engineer.”
Short, 61, said after the March 6 meeting that he had enjoyed his time as engineer. He said he would still live in Jasper and expected a large “honey-do” list from his wife, Jenny Brown Short, District 1 councilwoman for the Jasper City Council. Short also said at that time he hoped to do some consulting work.
“I have had a great experience working with you and the Commission, and I appreciate you allowing me to try and help move Walker County forward to a better position. I have confidence that this will continue with my replacement and I will certainly be willing to help in any way to provide a smooth transition,” Short wrote in his resignation letter.
Short served as county engineer in Winston County before joining the Walker County engineering department as an assistant engineer for a short time before being named engineer.
Walker County Chairman Steve Miller said during the March 6 meeting, “When I came here, Mr. Short was a big, big, big help to me. I really do appreciate his work for the county, his honesty, integrity, and most of all, his friendship.”
Each commission member also commented on Short, thanking him for his service.
During the March 20 meeting, the commission also voted to replace Short’s name with Peek’s name on bank accounts.
