Who steps in if Johnson County mayor, facing felony charge, leaves? Coin toss decides Sarah Ritter, The Kansas City Star Dec. 15—A coin toss has determined who would take over as the mayor of Shawnee if Michelle Distler — who is facing a felony perjury charge — were to leave her post. Each year, the City Council is tasked with appointing a council president, who becomes acting mayor in case of the mayor's absence or removal from office. That task is especially important this time with Distler's future in question due to her recent arrest, although the mayor has not said that she plans to resign.