Rod Bremby, who oversees an annual budget of nearly $216 million as a state Cabinet secretary, filed this week for personal Chapter 13 bankruptcy protection along with his wife, physician April Bremby.

Rod Bremby, secretary for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and April Bremby listed assets of $464,202 and liabilities of $598,755 in their Chapter 13 filing in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Kansas City, Kan.

The Brembys have agreed to make monthly payments of $1,208.72 for five years to pay off debts and cover applicable fees. Their former residence on Woodridge Drive is to be surrendered to creditors to address mortgage debt.

“We are no different than most Americans who file for bankruptcy,” Rod Bremby said. “The majority of Americans who file for bankruptcy do so due to medical reasons, and the second reason is because of loss of job due to medical reasons, so we find ourselves as typical Americans who file for protection under the bankruptcy laws of the U.S.”

The filing indicates that April Bremby’s medical practice in Lawrence ceased producing income in October. She now works at a clinic operated by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System, a job that pays nearly $110,000 a year.

Rod Bremby, a former assistant city manager in Lawrence, earns an annual salary of $98,372.