Jenkins council names city clerk and bookkeeper as co pro tem mayors during mayor’s medical absence

Jenkins, Ky. — The Jenkins City Council unanimously passed a resolution on Jan. 12, 2026, appointing city clerk April Ward and city bookkeeper Robin Kinzer to serve as co pro tem mayors while Mayor Todd de Priest is temporarily unable to perform his duties because of a medical condition, according to statements read into the record.

The council convened a special meeting and, after a brief roll call, Speaker 1 moved “to let Chuck Anderson conduct the meeting” in the mayor’s absence; the motion was seconded and approved. The council then recessed into an executive session and later returned to consider a written resolution read aloud by Speaker 2.

The resolution states that "Mayor Todd DePries has been temporarily rendered incapable of carrying out his duties as mayor due to medical reasons" and, citing KRS 83 8.1303 and city ordinance 31.21, appoints April Ward (city clerk) and Robin Kinzer (city bookkeeper) "to serve as co pro tem mayors." The text as read says the appointees are vested with the executive and administrative powers the mayor could have exercised, "including but not limited to financial [and] personnel matters." The resolution directs the city clerk to notify the county clerk and the secretary of state and says the appointment will continue until the mayor can resume his duties or issue an executive order delegating powers differently.

Speaker 1 moved to accept the resolution and the motion was seconded. During a roll call, the transcript records affirmative votes from the members enumerated during the vote; Speaker 1 announced the motion "passes unanimously." The transcript does not provide the names of the motion mover and the seconder for the final adoption beyond the spoken confirmation that the motion had been made and seconded.

The meeting closed with Speaker 1 asking for thoughts and prayers for Mayor Todd de Priest and thanking April Ward and Robin Kinzer for stepping in. A motion to adjourn was made, seconded, and the meeting concluded.

The council did not record further details in the transcript about how long the temporary appointment will remain in effect beyond the language that it persists "until the mayor can issue an executive order" or resume duties, nor did the meeting record specify any additional delegation limits or reporting requirements beyond the instruction to notify the county clerk and secretary of state.