Topeka, KS, October 20, 2026 —

Topeka City Manager Robert Perez has resigned, effective immediately, prompting a transition in the city manager’s office. Deputy City Manager Braxton Copley will serve in an interim capacity until Michael Webb assumes the role of interim city manager on October 26.

Mayor Spencer Duncan described the change as a personnel matter and said it did not involve wrongdoing. Duncan also said city operations and services would continue uninterrupted during the transition. A search for a permanent city manager is beginning, though no details about its process or timeline were provided.

The announcement outlines a two-step interim arrangement: Copley is to serve first, followed by Webb beginning October 26. The year associated with that date was not specified. The information provided also did not state when Perez submitted his resignation, explain the reason for it, or identify whether he will remain with the city in another role.

No information was provided about how the permanent city manager will be selected, who will lead the search, or when the city expects to name a successor. The announcement did not include details about any changes to city departments or services beyond Duncan’s statement that they would continue uninterrupted.

For now, the stated plan is for Copley to cover the interim role until Webb takes over on October 26, while the city begins looking for a permanent manager. Further details about the search and the transition were not included in the information provided.


Story summarized from the original created by Isaac Deer on www.wibw.com, see more information here.

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