City of Mercer Island Communications Coordinator Joy Johnston will be leaving her position at the end of this month to become the Public Information Officer for the City of Bothell.

Johnston began working for Mercer Island in 2005 in the Development Services Department and was promoted to the new position of communications coordinator in 2006.

Since then, Johnston has published 170 editions of the city’s e-newsletter, MI Weekly, and 15 quarterly newsletters.

She has worked hand-in-hand with the Mercer Island Reporter, helping to keep staff journalists abreast of city news.

“Mercer Island is lucky to have its own local community newspaper. Working together with the paper, we were able to get better information out to people,” Johnston said.

Earlier this year, Johnston was voted Favorite City Employee in the Reporter’s “Best of Mercer Island” competition.

“I owe all of my success to the remarkable staff at the City of Mercer Island. They care about their jobs and this community, and it shows — it made my job of telling the city’s stories easy,” said Johnston.

In 2008, the West Seattle resident helped found the now annual Leap for Green Earth Day celebration. Although her last day at City Hall is March 26, Johnston will attend next month’s Leap for Green celebration

The communications coordinator also helped form the Green Ribbon Commission, which promotes conservation among Island residents, as well as Mercer Island’s cable station, MI-TV Channel 21, which airs City Council meetings and other programs. She has been devoted to both projects since their inception.

While at the City of Mercer Island, Johnston completed a bachelor’s degree in social sciences, and in 2009 obtained a master’s degree through an Executive Public Administration program at the University of Washington.

“Working for this community has been immensely rewarding, and I will miss it greatly,” she said. “Thank you to all of the wonderful residents and volunteers for their inspiration and support.”

The city is currently looking into next steps for the communications coordinator position.