City Manager David Corliss is taking a positive step by delaying the hiring of a replacement for City Clerk Frank Reeb.

Friday was the last day on the job for Reeb, who has taken a job with Kansas Athletics Inc. Rather than immediately hire a new city clerk, Corliss decided to spread the duties of that job among three staff members in the city manager’s office.

At least temporarily, the move will save the city money on salaries during a tight economic time. Corliss said he will monitor the city’s finances to determine when to start recruiting a permanent replacement for Reeb.

Perhaps Corliss also should keep open the possibility that the clerk’s duties could be permanently absorbed into the city manager’s staff, eliminating the need to hire another person.

It’s just a thought.