- December 16, 2025
Acting City Manager Lauren Johnston receives a standing ovation for her service as she prepares to return to the assistant city manager position. Photo by Sierra Williams
Acting City Manager Lauren Johnston received a plaque from the council in honor of her tenure as acting city manager. Photo by Sierra Williams
Palm Coast employees entered stand quietly in the back of the City Council meeting in support of Acting City Manager Lauren Johnston as she finished her final day in the position. Photo by Sierra Williams
Acting City Manager Lauren Johnston prepares to return to the assistant city manager position. Photo by Sierra Williams
Palm Coast’s Acting City Manager Lauren Johnston received a rare standing ovation from the Palm Coast City Council on Dec. 16, her final day in the position.
Vice Mayor Theresa Carli Pontieri said it was “an honor and a privilege” to have Johnston serving as the acting city manager for the last two years. Pontieri and the council presented Johnston with a plaque to recognize her service to Palm Coast. Johnston stepped into the position after the previous city manager was fired in 2024 and will return to previous seat as assistant city manager.
“This very important, very stressful and very demanding job was thrust upon you, Ms. Johnston, without any warning,” Pontieri said. “And you stepped up. You accepted the call, and you rose to the challenge.”
The past 13 months since the new council members were sworn in were full of criticisms and praise for Johnston as the city searched for a new city manager. As she accepted the plaque, Johnston thanked the council for their mentorship and leadership and the residents who supported her. She also thanked the ones who didn’t support her, as they challenged her “to do better.”
Johnston also thanked the team of 600 city employees for their continued hard work.
“I appreciate this team, this wonderful team of 600 employees,” she said. “Every single director, every single manager, every single supervisor, and everybody who continues to pour their heart and soul into their job every single day.”
Pontieri said public service requires “steady leadership, thoughtful decision making and the ability to balance the key priorities while never losing sight of the people who call this wonderful city their home.”
“Throughout your tenure,” she said to Johnston, “you have exemplified those qualities of professionalism, integrity and the utmost of grace.”
The new city manager, Michael McGlothlin, begins his tenure in the position on Dec. 17.
