No decision made on HR issue

For the time being, however, Johnson is still employed by they city while Turner continues to evaluate the situation and make a decision which Turner said could come as early as two weeks or as late as 30 days.

"I'm still doing my job," Johnson said.

Johnson was hired in July 1993 by, then city manager, Richard Nienstedt. In his 16-and-a-half years with the city, Johnson has done two stints as interim Director of the Police and Fire Department as well as serve many other personnel management roles.

Most importantly, during Johnson's tenure, there have been no employee law suits. Johnson said there have only been two Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaints which were both dismissed due to a lack of cause. In the four years before he took the job, the city received 15 employee grievances. During his time with the city, there have only been three, according to Johnson.

Adding to his resume, Johnson was also instrumental in providing compensation increases for city employees over the years as well as making health insurance available to all employees.

"Those are the things that I can look back on and think about that directly impacted employees," Johnson said.

Johnson said most of the success he has had is do to the fact that he is has a relationship and understanding with all the city's employees.

"Having a professional HR person in this office helps build a rapport with the employees," Johnson said.

One of the potential solutions, if the position were eliminated, is to distribute the duties to multiple people within the city which Johnson feels could cause some problems.

"Right now, employees have one person they can come talk to," Johnson said. "It might be a little confusing to employees at first going to several different people."

One of the main factors in eliminating the Human Resources Director as opposed to other department heads was that the duties would be the most easily absorbed, according to Fort Scott City Commissioner Jean Parker.

"I don't agree with that at all ... I don't know if this is the easier, I don't know if it's the hardest," Johnson said. "A lot of people don't see what HR people do. A lot of stuff we do is personal."

According to Turner, it is difficult to determine what impact eliminating the position will have on the city's budget. Eliminating the position would result in about a two-mill decrease however there will be unknown costs from contracting the work that cannot be done in house. Turner added there is currently no other employee with the city who has experience in human resources.

"It's not as easy as cutting the money from the budget," Turner said. "Those duties have to be picked up somewhere."

Since the commission's vote, Johnson has received many phone calls and visitors showing their support for him, something he said he appreciates greatly.

"It's been a great 16 and a half years, I've enjoyed it ... times change, things go on," Johnson said. "I'll be glad when it's resolved."