Board names new highway engineer

PRINCETON — John Gross of rural Wyanet has been named the new Bureau County highway engineer.

At Tuesday’s meeting of the Bureau County Board, Steve Sondgeroth, chairman of the Transportation Committee, said Gross passed his state test in June and has met requirements to become the county highway engineer.

Gross is expected to take his position on Aug. 1. Until that time, the county board has hired retired engineer Ronald Brandau as interim engineer.

At Tuesday’s meeting, the Bureau County Board approved Gross’ salary at $89,531, or 97 percent of the recommendation set for Bureau County by the Illinois Department of Transportation. By statute, the county may pay between 95 percent and 110 percent of the recommended amount, Sondgeroth said. The salary is split equally between the state and local money and the 97 percent of IDOT’s recommendation will remain in place for each of the six years of Gross’s contract, Sondgeroth said.

Gross is a graduate of Wyanet High School, Illinois Valley Community College and the University of Illinois. He worked for three years for a private consulting firm in Rockford and for the last nine years as a resident engineer for IDOT.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for both the county and myself to work together to make Bureau County’s highway system as good as we possibly can,” Gross said. “I understand the existing staff is top-notch with many years of experience and I look forward to working with them.”

On Wednesday, Sondgeroth said Gross stood head and shoulders above the other candidates for the position. Gross’s background has always been with transportation issues and he has done a lot of bridge and road construction work, Sondgeroth said. The new county engineer is very well qualified and able to take care of the county’s needs, Sondgeroth said.

“Throughout the interview process, Mr. Gross had the answers to all our questions and he also had very strong professional references,” Sondgeroth said. “I think Mr. Gross also has the necessary personal skills to work well with people, whether it’s the county board members, employees, or our road commissioners.”

Gross will replace former county engineer Jeff Peacock who resigned in March.