A lifelong Sedalia resident is now the city’s new administrator.

The Sedalia City Council voted after an hour-long closed session Monday, July 7 to offer the position to Matthew Wirt, who had been named the interim city administrator last December. For Wirt, it’s the completion of a move he made nearly two years ago from law enforcement, when he stepped down as police chief to join the city’s front office.

Wirt says his priorities over the next five years include improving the city’s infrastructure and accommodating growth. He reflects on how that could involve working with Pettis County leaders and other cities.

Wirt emerged from a field of three finalists, who were interviewed by the Sedalia City Council over three days in June.  A release from the city says that there are no plans to hire a new assistant city administrator at this time.

Also after closed session Monday night, the Sedalia City Council approved a series of ordinances allowing the construction of a McDonald’s on the 600 block of East Broadway, near the future site of a bowling alley and fire training center.