The Ione City Council audience sat in stunned silence Tuesday night while Councilman Jeff Barnhart tendered his resignation, leaving the dais as soon as he finished reading from prepared comments.

Barnhart cited work obligations as the reason he won't be able to devote enough time to his elected post and thanked the voters who supported his campaign. He also commended the council on the "tremendous moves" that they have made on the city's progression and complimented City Manager Kim Kerr for her work on clearing up issues the city has faced.

"It is with great heartfelt thought and consideration that I announce my resignation from the city council effective immediately," he said, reading from his prepared letter. "My workload has increased and has made a difference in the work I do for city council and the citizens of Ione. I don't feel as if I am devoting enough time to council matters."

During his 2006 campaign for city council, Barnhart said he "wanted to work for the good of the people." His platform was based primarily upon Ione's nagging wastewater capacity issues and pursuing an updated general plan for the city.

During Tuesday's public comment period, newly installed Police Chief Mike Johnson thanked Barnhart, a former police captain with the Ione Police Department, for helping with Johnson's transition. "Thank you, Jeff, for all of your input when I stepped into this position," he said.

Barnhart left the department amid allegations that he gave conflicting statements in a workers' compensation investigation into a coworker's claim in 2003.

Council members also thanked Barnhart for his work with the city, citing his dedication to the residents of Ione, even though he had been holding down a full time position elsewhere. "I have enjoyed working with you on council," said Councilman Jim Ulm. "Anyone who has done this work knows how hard it really is."

The city council now has options on how to replace Barnhart, with a special meeting scheduled for Monday, March 24. According to Kerr, a special city council election can be added to the upcoming June ballot, or the city council can appoint someone. The city would need to advertise the appointment beforehand, similar to what the city of Jackson did when Councilman Drew Stidger stepped down after being promoted within the Amador County Sheriff's Office.

"This is at least a two-step process," Kerr told the Ledger Dispatch. "At the special meeting, there will be a discussion on an appointment or we can wait until the June election."

Other matters on Tuesday's agenda included the approval of the final grantee performance report on the first time home buyer program the city implemented in 2005. Community Development Block Grants were issued to the city in the amount of $400,000, for which 14 applicants applied. The grants were ultimately issued to five families and a balance of $3,649.71 was left over. Kerr commented that the city was to be commended on utilizing the grants, which the five families benefited from in buying homes. She added that the remaining balance would be put back into the program.

"There is a lot of interest in this program from residents in Ione," Kerr said.