Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders has announced that he will leave office at the end of the year, with two years left on his third term.
Sanders told the Kansas City Star that he would appoint 3rd District Jackson County Legislator Dennis Waits as his interim successor.
He also told them the recent death of his father caused him to reflect on what he wanted to do.
Sanders, 48, who had previously been the Jackson County prosecutor, also said in a media statement that it was time to leave after 13 years in public life.
He wants to spend more time with his wife, Georgia Sanders, and his sons, John, 12 and Patrick, 10, he said. “And frankly, we thought, what better time than Christmas to start the new journey.”
He added: “With the blessings and support of Jackson County’s 1,500 loyal employees, we have accomplished almost everything I dreamed about and committed myself to when I first took office in 2007.”
When he started, he said, the county was nearly insolvent and facing a major recession.
He cut budgets and balanced the county budget for five straight years without raising taxes or sacrificing vital services.
He also managed finances for the restoration of historic Jackson County Truman courthouse in Independence, he said, and increased county reserves to allow underpaid county workers to get incremental raises.
“The fact is,” he said, “as I head home today to hand the old stockings with care, I can do so knowing that I am leaving Jackson County in good financial shape and very capable hands.”
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