Bylsma originally filed her lawsuit in January in 1st District Court in Brigham City. It was moved to federal court in Salt Lake City because civil-rights violations are among Bylsma's accusations.

Bylsma, who wore several hats while working 25 years for the city, claims that Mayor Jerry Nelson fired her within days of him becoming mayor in January 2006.

He didn't have cause, and did not give Bylsma, then 63, the chance to fix any deficiencies, which she claims she was due as a merit employee.

Bylsma also accuses Perry City officials of spreading lies about her and says Nelson did not want to work with a woman.

She was replaced, she says in the lawsuit, by a younger man who is paid more, a fact the city cedes in its answer to the lawsuit.

Bylsma asks for $75,000 in lost wages, retirement and health benefits.

In its response to the lawsuit, Perry City claims that the mayor did not need cause to fire Bylsma because she was not a merit employee - but rather an hourly employee.

The city also claims that Nelson put Bylsma on paid administrative leave - and later fired her - for "severe insubordination" and failure to let the mayor see city records.

The case, which is scheduled to be heard by Judge Tena Campbell, is not scheduled for trial before July 2008.

kmoulton@sltrib.com