Mike Sanders, Jackson County Executive, takes a break, appoints acting executive [Updated]

The power of Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders has been passed from Sanders, elected to a third term last year, to Mary Lou Brown on an acting basis.

The Jackson County Legislature heard an executive order about Brown’s appointment toward the end of its Monday meeting at the county courthouse in Independence. There was no explanation given for Sanders’ decision to appoint an acting executive. Brown will occupy his position “until further notice.”

Brown works under Sanders as his chief administrative officer.

Sanders’ office did not put out a statement regarding Brown’s appointment. His office will put out statements about 19th-century farming in Jackson County and the retirement of its chief medical examiner, but has not yet announced the transfer of power within the county executive’s office.

Sanders’ absence may well have to do with the recent passing of his father.

His office has also been the subject of an FBI probe this year. The FBI investigation appears to include a look at why his office initiated a health-care consulting contract for St. Louis-area public relations professional Brittany Burke. Read more about that here.

UPDATE: Sanders says he’s taking time off following his father’s death. He plans to return to county business on September 21.

I want to thank all those in the community who reached out to offer their condolences on the passing of my father. As I have said before, he was the reason I got involved in public service. Both in the weeks leading up to his death, and in the weeks following, I have chosen to spend as much time as possible with my family, who have been the greatest comfort of all.

In my absence county business still goes on, and items need to be signed. That was the sole reason for the very simple and purely technical executive order issued last week. I understand that previous county executives have taken similar steps.