DAPHNE, Ala.—The city’s grounds department’s numbers diminished Friday when an employee resigned, without notice, leaving the department with just seven employees, including a supervisor, to handle the workload.

Public Works Director Richard Johnson said this resignation, atop two other employees who cannot work for medical reasons, had “crippled the department’s ability to handle the needs of the city.”

The grounds department is responsible for setting up tables and chairs for events, landscaping and grounds upkeep for all city buildings and functions. Johnson said this department is “always the first ones in and the last ones out.”

Johnson approached the council for permission to hire a replacement for the employee who resigned and said eventually, if the other two employees are deemed unable to work indefinitely, their positions would need to be filled as well.

Councilman August Palumbo was concerned the city would end up paying two salaries for one position if a replacement was hired for either of the employees on medical leave.

Johnson and the council agreed only the vacated position would be open for filling if the council votes on Monday to override the hiring freeze and fill any positions.