ORLANDO, Fla. — The CEO of Lynx has stepped down.

Edward Johnson's resignation was accepted by the Lynx Board of Directors during a meeting Thursday.

Johnson, whose contract had been set to expire in September, will get about $50,000 in severance over the next three months, based on his base salary.

Johnson's resignation comes amid turmoil at the agency. At a meeting late last month, board members heard from Lynx employees who said morale was low.

"I had a guy threaten me, threaten to kill me," one bus driver said at that meeting.

The agency also has had to defend itself from financial concerns: It had to pull millions from a reserve fund to balance its most recent budget.

Lynx is the main bus transit system for Orange, Seminole, and Osceola counties and also serves small portions of Polk and Lake counties. 

The governmental agency has an operating budget of $142 million for fiscal year 2019, the majority of which comes from the primary three counties as well as the city of Orlando. In addition to fares and advertising, it also receives federal and state funds.

Lynx's board has representatives from the tri-county area as well as the Florida Department of Transportation and Orlando. Current board members include Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, Seminole County Commissioner Lee Constantine and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.

Jim Harrison will serve as interim CEO. The board is in the process of deciding who will take over Lynx going forward.