Yet another top Franklin County official resigns. And the loss is tough to take

Franklin County has lost a number of high quality department heads over the past two years and now it’s losing its backbone.

Keith Johnson, the county’s administrator, is resigning.

Johnson has decided to take the city manager’s job in Chickasha, Okla. It’s a city with a population of around 17,000 — significantly less than Franklin County’s estimated 93,000.

But Chickasha is a bedroom community to Oklahoma City and is growing, Johnson said.

Most importantly, it is within an hour’s drive of his daughter, son-in-law and six grandchildren.

Johnson said he loves Pasco and will miss the community, but at this time moving away is what is best for his family.

We imagine it might also be best for his emotional well-being.

Johnson is a class act and won’t publicly say anything about the contentious work environment that he has graciously endured.

But anyone who has been paying attention to the goings-on in Franklin County knows Johnson has regularly been caught up in uncomfortable and hostile exchanges.

He has sat through shouting matches and the public disparaging of elected officials and others.

He has had to manage when two of three commissioners decided to defy state mask and social distancing laws during the height of COVID.

And then there was the time he was caught completely off guard when Commissioner Rocky Mullen unexpectedly made a motion to fire him. Commissioner Clint Didier supported the move and it looked like the decision was already made.

Mullen was just new to office and seemed to think Johnson should be teaching him how to be a commissioner.

But that’s not Johnson’s role. If Mullen wanted guidance, all he had to do was ask. There was no need to go to the extreme and try to fire Johnson at a public meeting with no notice.

Somehow, through the drama, Johnson managed to keep both his composure and his job.

Didier told the Herald that Johnson told him of his intention to leave to be closer to his grandchildren. He said there was a “misunderstanding” with Johnson at first, but that he did a good job for the county.

Commissioner Brad Peck described Johnson as a consummate professional, and said that Franklin County was blessed to have him. Peck also said that Franklin County has lost approximately one-third of its work force under Didier’s tenure, and that Johnson is just the latest to flee.

Few, if any, are willing to state the real reason they are leaving, but Peck said many have told him privately they “simply cannot work in a toxic environment fueled by Didier.”

Johnson’s departure is part of a string of key resignations.

Franklin County has lost two human resources directors in less than a year, and their resignation letters were made public about a month ago by the Herald.

While neither letter listed specific offenders, both mentioned bullying by elected officials.

Carly Nave resigned in December of 2021 after nearly seven years with Franklin County, most of it has head of Human Resources. Her successor, Eric Wyant, took over the position in January. He had worked in HR for six years and was excited for the promotion.

But after only seven months, he said it was clear that “the toxicity that my predecessor experienced which includes outright hostility and bullying by elected officials was going to continue under my tenure.”

Others in lead positions have made exits after Didier and Mullen ended up as the majority duo on the commission. Peter McEnderfer, former assessor for Franklin County, resigned. So did the county’s longtime public works director, Matt Mahoney.

There is clearly something wrong when an organization hemorrhages its top leaders

And now Franklin County will soon be without its key administrator — the linchpin who kept it all together.

Johnson said he plans to stay through the end of October in order to tie up loose ends and help with the transition. That’s generous of him.

He has led the county for seven years, but it was the last couple that we believe took a toll. We are happy he was able to find a job close to his grandchildren and we wish him well.

Johnson’s professionalism, his commitment to Franklin County, and his straightforward and calm demeanor will be missed.

The question left in his wake is what Franklin County commissioners will do stop the bleeding of experienced leadership.

This story was originally published September 23, 2022 at 12:54 PM.