Jim Sanders, Johnston’s city administrator for the past 25 years, is retiring effective Oct. 18, the city announced. A community open house is planned from 4 to 6 p.m. on Oct. 13 at Crown Point Community Center, 6300 Pioneer Parkway in Johnston. Sanders will also be recognized during the Oct. 17 Johnston City Council meeting. In 2021, Sanders was named City Manager of the Year by the Iowa League of Cities. In the past 25 years, Johnston’s population has grown to over 25,000 from 6,131. Projects completed during Sander’s tenure include the creation of Terra Park, a 200-acre park with an 8-acre fishing lake, trails, amphitheater, accessible play structures and picnic pavilion, and the development of the Johnston Town Center, a public-private initiative encouraging the redevelopment of Merle Hay Road at Northwest 62nd Avenue. The council hasn’t yet selected Sanders’ replacement.