The Associated Press

PROVIDENCE, Ky. - The mayor in this western Kentucky town offered his resignation after coming under fire since a state audit was released showing that the city is missing more than $330,000.

Mayor Jerry Fritz said this week that he would resign at the end of April.

The announcement came nearly two weeks after the audit identified $334,736 in missing city utility payments and outlined other accounting irregularities. Those irregularities included four checks totaling about $8,720 made out to Providence city clerk Sarah Stevens that appeared to pay for personal expenses, the audit said.

Angry residents submitted petitions seeking the resignations of Fritz and Stevens. On Monday, residents again asked for their resignations.

Stevens has been placed on unpaid administrative leave, pending the outcome of an investigation by the attorney general's office.

The council is responsible for appointing a mayor to serve until the next general election in November.