TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) _ Ten former employees of Topeka's parks and recreation department are seeking a total of $745,000 from the city over severance packages.

The employees lost their jobs with the city when the Topeka and Shawnee County parks and recreations departments were consolidated under county control Jan. 1.

They all are now working for the county but they claim the new jobs offer substantially less pay and benefits.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the employees contend they weren't given severance benefits, which the city code requires if employees lose their jobs through no fault of their own. It also claims the city tried to manipulate the forfeiture of the clients' severance.

The law gives the city 120 days to decide whether to grant or deny the claims.