OREGON, Mo. — A former Forest City, Mo., clerk was sentenced Tuesday after pleading guilty the month before to stealing from city hall.

Ronnie Jo Cotton, 30, had admitted to taking more than $17,000 from the Forest City government she worked for from 2004 to 2006. Her plea to the felony in August negated a two-day jury trial that was scheduled in Holt County Circuit Court.

Judge Roger Prokes ordered probation for Ms. Cotton and sentenced her to 60 days of shock time in jail, according to court documents. She must serve an initial 30 days starting next week, followed by 15 48-hour periods of the sentence to be served on weekends. She must pay restitution back to the city at the rate of $300 starting next January — and continuing monthly — until more than $21,000 in total restitution has been paid.

Forest City Mayor Peggy Edwards had told investigators she noticed Ms. Cotton was requesting petty cash funds at least weekly from city accounts. She became suspicious of the activity and requested an audit, which uncovered a shortage of city funds.

Ms. Cotton had faced the potential of one year in the county jail and a $5,000 fine.

City officials will pursue civil action against Ms. Cotton in a case filed Tuesday in Circuit Court. A case review has been set for Feb. 4.

Ray Scherer can be reached at rscherer@npgco.com.