Kansas City’s highest paid employee was given walking papers Thursday.
The city council fired City Manager Brian Platt in a unanimous 13-0 vote, ending a turbulent tenure amid accusations of discrimination, retaliation, and creating a hostile workplace.
Mayor Quinton Lucas cited ‘multiple failures’ that led to the decision, including a jury verdict that cost taxpayers nearly $1 million in a whistleblower case where Platt was found to have suggested lying to media about city activities.
“No one enjoys this moment,” Lucas said. “It is with great disappointment that this step was taken. It was a unanimous action, however, from city council, and I think it goes to show the magnitude of concerns and in many ways the breaking of confidence from all of us.”
The last city manager to be fired was Wayne Cauthen—the city’s first Black city manager—who was dismissed in 2009 after overseeing major downtown revitalization projects including the Power & Light District and Sprint Center.
Despite helping revitalize downtown, Cauthen was removed following tensions with then-Mayor Mark Funkhouser over management style and budget priorities.
Deputy City Manager Kimiko Black Gilmore has been promoted to acting city manager and is believed to be the first Black woman in the role.
Why Platt Was Fired
Mayor Lucas outlined several reasons for Platt’s termination including:
- The whistleblower lawsuit verdict and testimony that damaged the city’s reputation
- Failure to effectively establish goals and vision for departments
- Inability to adapt to evolving risks or implement risk mitigation strategies
- Loss of confidence in his leadership abilities from both staff and elected officials
- Inappropriate messaging to city employees about values important to the city
- Poor handling of personnel matters and supervision of employees
Discrimination Allegations and Civil Rights Pressure
Platt‘s dismissal follows accusations from Black employees and civil rights organizations that he created a hostile work environment, particularly affecting people of color.
Andrea Dorch, former head of the Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity Department, filed suit aginst Platt and the city last year after she was forced to resign. Her lawsuit alleges Platt interfered with her job duties when she raised concerns about Meta (Facebook’s parent company) skirting minority contracting requirements for its massive Northland data center.
Dorch’s lawsuit states Platt sent her a letter of reprimand, called her communication “unprofessional,” and prohibited her from discussing issues with the mayor or city council – duties central to her job. Platt also hired a private investigator to see if Dorch violated the city’s residency requirements.
The Urban Council—led by Rev. Dr. Vernon Howard of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Bishop James Tindall of the Urban Summit, Gwen Grant of the Urban League, and Nimrod Chapel of the NAACP-Missouri—has been vocal in demanding accountability and has formally called for Platt’s resignation for at least two years.
“He weaponized city resources against Black employees,” wrote the Council in a letter calling on the city to fire Platt. “He has orchestrated forced resignations, fostered a toxic and racially hostile workplace, and cost taxpayers over $7 million in civil rights, wrongful termination, and whistleblower lawsuit payouts.”
Whistleblower Case Became Breaking Point
The final blow came earlier this month when a Jackson County jury awarded former communications director Chris Hernandez nearly $930,000 after determining he was forced out of his job after he resisted Platt’s suggestions that it’s okay for city officials to lie to the media.
During the eight-day trial, Hernandez and two other former communications staff testified that Platt had suggested it was acceptable to lie to news outlets about city activities. Though Platt denied making such suggestions, the jury’s unanimous verdict validated Hernandez’s claims of retaliation.
Civil rights leaders pointed to this case as confirmation of what they had long alleged about Platt’s leadership style. The Urban Council’s letter cited the “nearly $1 million verdict finding that Platt engaged in unethical and retaliatory conduct” as proof that their earlier warnings had been justified.
“There was a direct finding by the jury that there was retaliation,” Councilman Crispin Rea said after voting to remove Platt. “To overlook that as city council members would be an abdication of our responsibility to hold folks accountable and to ensure that city hall operates with integrity.”
Controversy From Hiring to Firing
Platt’s time at City Hall was bookended by controversy. His 2020 hiring divided the council along racial lines in a 9-4 vote that selected him over three qualified Black candidates.
The controversy deepened just days after his hiring when news broke that Platt was among eight Jersey City officials accused of racial discrimination in a lawsuit filed earlier that year. Though that lawsuit was eventually dismissed, tensions persisted.
By 2023, Third District Councilwoman Melissa Robinson considered a no-confidence vote against Platt, citing widespread complaints about his management approach, budget handling, and hiring practices. While that effort was eventually dropped after a closed meeting with other council members and Mayor Lucas, it underscored the mounting frustration with his leadership.
Platt seems poised to bring litigation against the city as he has retained attorney Joanna Trachtenberg, who specializes in employment discrimination cases. Despite this, Mayor Lucas has expressed confidence in the council’s decision.
“I’m a Black mayor who hired him some years ago, who has voted to renew him, and today we elected to take a different action,” said Lucas. “I believe that we have always been fair, we have always been objective, and it is my belief that any jury that were to hear that discussion would agree with us as well.”
Veteran Administrator Makes History
Kimiko Black Gilmore now takes the helm as acting city manager, bringing over 20 years of municipal experience to the role.
Gilmore began a career in public service in 2000 as a council aide to Terry Riley. She expanded her expertise by working as a community relations director for a Community Development Corporation and later as a staffer for U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill before returning to City Hall in 2009 as an assistant to the city manager.
Rising through the ranks, she became assistant city manager in 2012, and in 2021, Platt appointed her as Director of Convention and Entertainment Facilities while she continued serving as Deputy City Manager.
“Kimiko has done so much for the City of Kansas City and done it so well, it made this an easy decision,” Platt said at the time of that appointment.
Throughout her career, Gilmore has overseen housing, health, human relations, and neighborhood services while helping coordinate major events including the 2012 MLB All-Star Game and the city’s successful bids for the 2023 NFL Draft and 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Mayor Lucas emphasized the need for stable leadership during this transition, and the council unanimously appointed Gilmore to the acting role.
What Comes Next
The city has provided no information about possible severance packages for Platt, whose contract was set to run through Aug 2027 with a $308,000 annual salary. If fired “without cause,” his contract entitled him to severance equal to his annual salary.
“I’m extremely proud of the work we have done over the last four years to elevate the quality of life for all Kansas Citians,” said Platt in a statement defending his tenure.
For now, Gilmore takes the reins as the city looks toward selecting a permanent replacement. A search for a new city manager could be complicated by the city hosting World Cup games in 2026. The last person who served as acting city manager—Troy Schulte— was eventually promoted to the full role.
