Jim Sanders, Johnston’s city administrator for the past 24 years, was recently awarded City Manager of the Year by the Iowa League of Cities. The annual award honors city administrators whose work represents the best possible application of management principles. During Sanders’ tenure, Johnston’s population has grown to 24,064 from 6,131. Projects completed during his 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 to encourage the redevelopment of Merle Hay Road at Northwest 62nd Avenue.