TOPEKA (KSNT) – Topeka’s city manager is being paid during his extended leave of absence, the city confirmed Wednesday.

Stephen Wade “is taking an extended leave of absence for an undisclosed amount of time,” according to a statement released Tuesday by City of Topeka Director of Communications Gretchen Spiker.

Spiker confirmed to 27 News the city is continuing to pay Wade’s salary while he’s on extended leave. However, according to the City of Topeka’s official personnel manual, “an extended leave of absence shall be unpaid.”

27 News asked Spiker if the city made an exception in Wade’s case, but she referred us to her previous statement.

“This relates to a personnel matter. The city will not be commenting further,” Spiker wrote in an email response.

Wade started in his position on Sept. 14, 2022. He earns $200,000 per year.

Wade has not stepped down from his position, but Spiker said the city charter requires them to appoint an acting city manager. On Tuesday, the Topeka City Council voted to hire Richard Nienstedt as acting city manager.