Abilene City Commissioner and former mayor John Ray has resigned his position on the City Commission of the City of Abilene, Kansas due to personal reasons. Commissioner Ray served on the governing body since April 2011, and was Mayor from April 2013 to April 2014. He was elected by voters to a four­ year term in 2011 and a two­ year term in 2015.

“It is unfortunate to have to accept Commissioner Ray’s resignation,” said Mayor Dee Marshall. “Commissioner Ray has served Abilene well during his tenure on the governing body and we wish him well.”

The process for filling a vacancy on the governing body is defined by Charter Ordinance No. 25, which states that “in case of a vacancy in the office of commissioner occurring by reason of resignation, death, or removal from office or from the city, the mayor, by and with the consent of a majority of the remaining commissioners, shall appoint a qualified elector of the city to fill
the vacancy until the next election for that office.”

Due to recent changes to local election statutes by the Kansas Legislature, the next local election is scheduled for November, 2017 with elected candidates taking office in January 2018. The individual appointed to fill Commissioner Ray’s remaining term will be in office until January 2018.