One of the longest-serving city managers in central Iowa announces retirement

Urbandale's city manager of 15 years is retiring.

The city announced Friday in a news release that A.J. Johnson, who has been city manager since 2009, would retire at the end of the year.

“I’ve been hinting at retirement for so long that I’m surprised it’s still news,” Johnson said in the release. “I’m looking forward to spending more time with my family and enjoying the community I’ve had the privilege to serve," he added.

Johnson started his career in Sidney, Ohio, where from 1981 to 1985 he was an assistant to the city manager and later an assistant city manager. He was the city manager of Montevideo, Minnesota, from 1985 to 1989, and Muscatine's city administrator from 1989 to 2009.

Urbandale only has had two city managers in 40 years, according to the city. Before Johnson, Bob Layton served in the role for 25 years. Johnson is the second longest-serving city manager in the Des Moines metro area, only behind Steve Schainker in Ames, according to the city's release.

During Johnson's tenure, Urbandale grew from about 39,000 residents to more than 47,000, the city built Fire Station No. 43, he strengthened collaborative agreements with neighboring cities on first responder services, and Johnson oversaw accreditation for the city's fire and police departments.

“A.J. Johnson has been a steady hand at the helm of Urbandale for nearly 15 years," Urbandale Mayor Bob Andeweg said in the city's release.

“His commitment to our community is evident in the numerous accomplishments during his tenure. Through his leadership over the years with many changes and challenges along the way, Urbandale is well-positioned for a very bright future," Andeweg added.

The city has begun its recruitment efforts to identify the next city manager but did not include a timeline in its release.

Johnson is a graduate of Theodore Roosevelt High School, received his bachelor's degree at Wartburg College and has a master of public administration from Drake University.

He and his wife, Christy, have been married for 44 years and have two sons and two grandsons.

Phillip Sitter covers the western suburbs for the Des Moines Register. Phillip can be reached via email at psitter@gannett.com or on X at @pslifeisabeauty.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: One of the longest-serving city managers in central Iowa announces retirement