City Council

Back: Jeff Burger, Steve Kinyon, Sheryl Parham, Dave Cunningham
Front: Kristie Nixon, Michelle Burger (Mayor), Kayla Lacina (City Clerk)

The City of Afton operates under the mayor-council form of government. The Council consists of five Council members at large for staggered terms of four years. The mayor is elected for a term of two years.

Your City Council meets on the second Tuesday each month at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall. All meetings are open to the public and you are cordially invited to attend.

                                                       Mayor

Michelle Burger
Michelle (Bakerink) Burger is a Creston native and graduated from Creston High school in 1985.  She migrated to Afton in 1986, when she married Afton local, Jeff Burger.  They have one daughter, Devon, who graduated from East Union.  They spend their free time traveling and spending time with Devon and her family.

Michelle works at J & J Plumbing and Heating in Creston, the family-owned business.  Michelle is the Office Manager, and she enjoys her job because there is much opportunity to interact with customers.

Michelle decided to run for Mayor. Her motives included the people in Afton and her desire to improve the quality of life for everyone in Afton.  About being elected, Michelle says, “I’m excited and overwhelmed, but I know that I will be welcomed and supported.  I am open to ideas and suggestions and honored to have a hand in the interests of our community.”

                                            Council Members
Dave Cunningham
Dave grew up around the Afton area and graduated from East Union High School in 1970. He has worked for and became part owner in Creston Mobile Homes since 1970. He married Connie Booth in 1973, they have 3 children, twins Adam and Amber & youngest Aric, and several grandchildren.

Dave got interested in City business when he was involved with the Afton Jaycees & Afton Betterment Club. One of his projects was building the restroom in the City Park and the Afton Ball Complex.

Dave’s motto is to treat people the way he would like to be treated and vote on items that will benefit the people of Afton, and last but not least, not to overspend the budget.

Jeff Burger
Jeff grew up in Afton and graduated from East Union High School in 1983.  He married Shelli Bakerink of Creston in 1986.  They have one daughter, Devon, who graduated from East Union Schools and enjoys spending time with her and her family.

Jeff partnered with his father-in-law in 1998 and they co-own and operate J & J Plumbing and Heating in Creston.  Jeff also served as Afton Lions Club president.

Jeff’s interest in the Afton City Council spurred from his involvement with the Afton Lions.  Jeff and Shelli choose Afton as their home because they love the people and personality of our small town.  During his term with the City Council, Jeff hopes to continue community improvement and quality of life.  He hopes to represent the people of Afton and their desires for Afton’s future.

Sheryl Parham
Sheryl was elected to the City Council in November 2023 and starts her Council position in January 2024.
In 2015, I moved from Minnesota to Afton. I am married to Roger Parham Jr. Between the 2 of us we have 4 children, and two of our children graduated from East Union School. I started working at East Union School in 2017 as a paraprofessional and now I am a substitute teacher in the elementary school and am also a full-time bus driver.

I graduated from the University of Minnesota – Mankato with a degree in computer science with an emphasis in business. I worked as a computer programmer for General Mills and WebMD. I also ran my own furnace and duct cleaning company.

I enjoy gardening, and keeping an orchard, bees and chickens. It is very rewarding to preserve healthy food for my family.
It is an honor to represent the residents of Afton by serving on the city council.
Motto: Be the change you want to see.

Steve Kinyon
Steve was elected to the City Council in November 2019. Steve was born in Creston and grew up in Greenfield where he graduated high school. He then Graduated from Northwest Missouri State University. Steve’s family has lived in Afton since 1998. Steve and his wife Jean have taught at East Union Schools since moving to Afton. He has taught government classes in the past and has always wanted to serve in government. Steve and Jean have 4 sons, which three have graduated from East Union, and they enjoy spending time with their children and their families. He is excited to serve in this local government roll and wants to promote progress and growth in our community.

Kristie Nixon
Kristie was elected in November of 2021 and started her Council position in January 2022.  Kristie spent her high school career at East Union Community High School where she graduated.  #EAGLEPride.  After earning her BS in Child and Family Services from Iowa State University, she worked at Blank Children’s Hospital as a child life specialist.  She and her husband Scott settled back in Afton to raise their family.  Scott is an Afton native and ISU graduate also.  Go Cyclones!  Their children Gabriel and Grace have graduated from East Union and are pursuing degrees at ISU.  Gwen is currently an 8th grader at EU.

She worked at East Union Schools for 8 years.  Kristie currently works for Southwestern Community College as the Early Childhood and Parents As Teachers Director for the past 14 years.  She loves to help support families and early childhood teachers to meet the needs of children.

Kristie stated, “Afton is a wonderful small town community and there is an energy to see the community grow.”  Kristie is excited to serve the Afton community and to help make decisions for the community to thrive.

City Hall • 115 East Kansas • Phone: 641-347-5224 • FAX: 641-347-5297 •
e-mail: actyhall@iowatelecom.net

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