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Alderman Ronald R. Russell resigns effective Sept. 24, citing impeachment threat in prepared statement
Summary
Alderman Ronald R. Russell read a prepared resignation Sept. 23 effective Sept. 24, 2025, saying recent circumstances including a threat of impeachment and pressures involving his family prompted his decision; the Board received public comment urging review of Section 120.040 of the municipal code.
Alderman Ronald R. Russell (Ward II) read a prepared resignation to the Smithville Board of Aldermen on Sept. 23, stating his resignation would be effective Sept. 24, 2025. In the statement Russell cited "recent circumstances, including the threat of impeachment proceedings and unwarranted demands to involve my family" as reasons for stepping down and said he made the decision reluctantly while expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve.
Russell urged fellow aldermen to spend time in all areas of their wards, return constituent phone calls, and thanked city employees and the police department. He provided contact information in the letter and signed it "Ronald 'Triple R' Russell, Alderman, Ward II." The city clerk's packet contains the written resignation attached to the meeting record.
Earlier in the meeting, public commenter Brian Fullmer asked the Board to revisit Section 120.040 of the Municipal Code and consider allowing residents who had been removed from meetings to return without unclear explanations. Alderman Russell also requested the Board consider revisiting that code section; Mayor Damien Boley asked whether any members wanted the item placed on a work session agenda and none expressed interest.
No formal Board action to accept or process the resignation was recorded during the meeting minutes; the resignation letter is part of the meeting record and Russell indicated the effective date was Sept. 24, 2025.
