BAXTER SPRINGS, Kan. (AP) A southeast Kansas mayor who has been embroiled in disputes with city council members over personnel moves has abruptly called it quits.
The Joplin Globe reports Baxter Springs Mayor Jenifer Bingham resigned on Tuesday. She was replaced by Mike Kaufmann, who was told Tuesday afternoon by the city attorney that he had to go to City Hall and sign payroll checks.
Kaufmann says he wasn’t expecting to be promoted, but he looks forward to returning stability to city government.
Bingham ruffled feathers in April when she named replacements for the city clerk and police chief, both of whom were longtime employees of the city.
The City Council rejected the appointments and Bingham put the clerk on paid suspension. The council later took action to restore her to her position.
