TOPEKA (KSNT) – Topeka Mayor Spencer Duncan took time Wednesday morning to explain the recent resignation of City Manager Robert Perez.
Duncan addressed the Topeka community on the morning of Oct. 21 following Perez’s resignation. Duncan said Perez resigned immediately on Oct. 20 following the city council meeting with Deputy City Manager Braxton Copley taking over the position temporarily until Oct. 26. Michael Webb will become interim city manager starting on Oct. 26.
Duncan praised Perez, stating that Perez did his job to the best of his ability. Duncan said Perez’s resignation stems from Perez wanting to explore other opportunities.
“We’re really glad Robert was here, and it’s time to for him to move on, time for us to move on and we’re gonna look towards the future,” Duncan said.
Perez started working for the City of Topeka in 2024. Perez initially signed on to a $255,000 contract with the city.
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Duncan said Perez’s resignation comes after many discussions that were held internally. He said the time had come for Perez to move on to other opportunities.
“We have no issues with Robert, he did the work he was asked to do while he was here,” Duncan said. “But, again, sometimes everyone just see’s new opportunities and is ready to move forward.”
Duncan said that, moving forward, he is going to work with other city councilmembers to identify a permanent replacement for Perez in the City of Topeka. He said the process may take some time to complete.
“But I’ll be honest, I’m less worried about how long it takes, and my concern is making sure we hire the right person,” Duncan said. “Someone who meets what we’re looking for in the city manager, someone who wants to be invested in this city, someone who understands a little bit of this city and someone who understands the challenges of modern day running the fifth-largest city in Kansas in the third-largest county in the Capital City of our state.”
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