Salina City Commissioner Barb Shirley resigned Monday evening. Shirley, who is in the final year of a four year term, announced her resignation at the end of Monday evening’s regularly scheduled meeting.

Shirley cited time concerns, saying that she could not fully commit the time needed as a commissioner. “The City Commission deserves a member who can fully commit to its time demands” she said.

Shirley was first elected in 2011, and served as Salina’s mayor in 2013. During her time as mayor Shirley was a big proponent of equal rights, and joined a national group of mayors who support gay marriage. She became the first Kansas Mayor to join more than 350 other mayors across the country to join Mayors for Freedom to Marry.

When the city commission did its routine reorganization in January, and Shirley’s term as mayor ended, she said it was a tough year personally for her. “I had two job changes, I lost my son, and my dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer” she said. Since then her father has passed away.

Shirley will remain on the city commission until a replacement commissioner is found.