OTTAWA — Franklin County administrator Lisa Johnson submitted her resignation today, effective June 30. Johnson has accepted a position with Ottawa University as the director of governmental, regulatory and legal affairs. The county commission will continue the position of a administrator and will begin the search for a permanent successor soon, said commission chair Steve Harris. To smooth the transition, the commission will immediately seek an interim administrator through the Kansas Association of Counties, Harris said. Johnson, who was county counselor, became county administrator Nov. 1, 2007, after a period of turmoil when the county went through the first two county administrators in about a year. Johnson provided stability to the position and has expanded the impact of a county administrator, Harris said. “Ms. Johnson has been instrumental in the transition to the administrator form of government in Franklin County” Harris said. “She is responsible for the success of numerous projects including the juvenile justice facility, the HVAC project at our historical courthouse, and the criminal justice center project to name just a few. Ms. Johnson’s talents, abilities, and leadership will be greatly missed and we wish her great success and happiness in her new position.” Johnson has been with Franklin County 13 years, starting as an assistant county attorney and county counselor before she became administrator.
Wednesday, May 28, 5 p.m.
