Topeka ? Reacting to voter approval of a change in the form of city government, Mayor James McClinton said he wouldn’t seek election next year.

McClinton, 43, became mayor in January after the City Council picked him to replace Butch Felker, who resigned while facing an ouster action. McClinton, a former member of the council, had been working as public administrator of the Kansas Juvenile Justice Authority.

He said Wednesday he wouldn’t be a candidate in the April election for the job that pays $60,000 a year. The day before, city voters approved replacing the strong mayor-council form of government with a council-city manager system, a change that would effectively take away most of the mayor’s powers.

“A mayor under this form of government would basically cut ribbons and shake hands,” McClinton said.

The mayor said he planned to stay in office until his term ends, but would be looking for a job and would leave earlier if he found a good opportunity.