BELLEFONTAINE NEIGHBORS, Mo. – Just a few months after an employee walkout and city shutdown, the Bellefontaine Neighbors Board of Aldermen has voted to accept the resignation of Mayor Dinah Tatman.

Eight aldermen and several residents met Saturday afternoon on Zoom for a special meeting with one item on the agenda: Accepting the resignation of Mayor Dinah Tatman.

Board President James Thomas read a letter from Tatman, in which she explains becoming mayor during a period of turmoil and her efforts to restore order.

The letter reads, in part, “I encourage each of you to come together, support one another, and embrace the new leadership that will guide you. For my part, I have decided it is time to take a step back to care for my own well-being, a process that is long overdue for me, my family and those who depend on me.”

After that, Tataman made a quick comment after being told by the board president that she was not allowed to speak. She said, “To let the citizens know, I am not resigning.”

Despite confusion about her plans, an alderperson made a motion to accept her departure. Six aldermen voted in favor, one opposed, and one abstained.

Some residents blame both the Mayor and the Board for the city’s stagnation.

“Far as I’m concerned, she don’t do her job, and the alderman don’t do their job,” said resident David Woodcock. “So they need to get up there and rattle the cage, and get something done. Change the aldermen around. Change the mayor around and get it back to what it used to be.”

“If we can’t get the people to come together and do what’s right for our community, then we need a clean slate,” said Sharon Harris. “Wipe everybody off the slate and start all over again.”

After the vote, Tatman shared this message with FOX 2: “With the vote to accept my resignation, I still serve as mayor until the process of impeachment. They have to have cause. There is none.”

Tatman stated in her letter that she has requested a forensic audit from the Attorney General’s Office. It is still unclear if the mayor had actual intentions to resign. FOX 2 will let you know how the mayor and the board plan to move forward.