Sherrie Ohrn knows all about bucking trends and standing out in positive ways. A member of the city council for two terms, Ohrn provided an invaluable and unique perspective on issues impacting residents in a field generally dominated by men. 

Herriman resident Sherrie Ohrn served on the city council for eight years. (Photo courtesy Herriman City)

In the U.S., only about 32.4% of municipal officers are women. Ohrn was the only woman on the city council for nearly six of her eight years, but her legacy is much more than just a statistic. 

A Herriman resident for over 20 years, Ohrn and her family were drawn here by the friendly people and a sense of belonging. 

“We just felt led to Herriman,” she said. “We loved the community feeling here.” Though the town she originally knew has changed dramatically over the decades, it still feels like home. 

The city’s rapid and steady growth is what prompted Ohrn to run for the city council in 2017. 

“When we first moved into our home, we were surrounded by open fields and very few homes,” she said. 

“When development started on the property adjacent to us, I was extremely frustrated with the process and felt that it would be better to be involved in solutions than sit around and complain about problems.” 

Ohrn’s father also played a pivotal role in the decision to take a more active role in her community. “My dad was a key influencer in my decision to run and a great source of guidance while I was serving,” she said. 

The wild ride begins

Ohrn started the first of two terms of office in 2018 and hit the ground running. She was promptly faced with some of the most significant obstacles that Herriman has experienced since its incorporation in 1999. 

The city honored Sherrie Ohrn's work at her last city council meeting on Dec. 11. From left to right: Councilman Jared Henderson, Mayor Lorin Palmer, Sherrie Ohrn, Councilman Teddy Hodges, Councilwoman Terrah Anderson and City Manager Nathan Cherpeski. (Photo courtesy Herriman City)

“There were a lot of challenges when I started serving,” she said. “The city was suffering from growing pains. We were growing much faster than our staffing was able to manage. We made some difficult staffing decisions and budgetary decisions that have put us in a strong position moving forward.”

Ohrn quickly learned that in local government, once a fire is out, another one will spring up in its place. A steady barrage of complex concerns kept Ohrn, the mayor, fellow council members and other city personnel on their toes. “There were issues at every meeting while I was on the council,” she said.

During her tenure, Ohrn experienced Herriman’s explosive growth firsthand. Many residents shared her disenchantment with rapidly shifting conditions and prospects. She and her colleagues routinely walked a tightrope as they dealt with multiple development agreements, striving to balance prospective benefits and needs of current and future residents with infrastructure considerations and developer goals. 

“I have been extremely blessed to work with Sherrie Ohrn. She is steadfast in her beliefs and is a staunch advocate for property rights and personal accountability,” Assistant City Manager Wendy Thomas said. “She always asked hard questions, making sure that she fully understood the situation to make an informed decision.”

Dealing with the unthinkable and ending a nearly decade-long relationship

Just a few months into her first term, she and the rest of the city and state tried to make sense of the suicide of a Herriman High student, the seventh suicide at the school in less than a year. Ohrn joined other city personnel in organizing public forums and community events to encourage the discussion of mental health challenges, increase awareness of available resources and erase the stigma of suicide.

Later in 2018, the city council voted to end its nine-year dependence on Salt Lake County for law enforcement services, and Herriman Animal Services was established under the new Herriman Police Department in 2019. 

The following year started with a bang when COVID hit, upending the entire globe while necessitating innovation and creativity to perform even the most basic functions at national, state and city levels. 

The ride continues

Though subsequent years weren’t quite as unprecedented as the first few, Ohrn continued to work through numerous challenges, consistently fighting to improve the city sustainably. “[There were] management changes, the athletic complex property exchange, the Olympia annexation, Target, Trader Joe’s and so many other businesses,” she said. “I wouldn’t know how to list them all!”

Sherrie Ohrn and former Councilman Steven Shields help with Herriman High’s 2020 senior graduation parade. (Photo courtesy Herriman City)

The mother of four and stepmother of three also worked closely with the Herriman Youth Council. “Watching the way the Youth Council looks up to her has been one of my favorite things,” Mayor Lorin Palmer said. “They respect, admire and genuinely listen to her. That kind of influence is rare, and it says everything about who she is.”

“I've especially loved seeing her patriotism and love of our country, and the way she has shared this with the Herriman Youth Council,” Councilwoman Terrah Anderson said. Currently the only woman on the city council, Anderson was appointed last summer when former Councilman Steven Shields stepped down. 

Ohrn credits Herriman City Councilman Jared Henderson with helping her navigate the often thorny landscape of public office. “Councilman Henderson was a great mentor to me,” she said. 

“Sherrie is simply an incredible person,” Henderson said. “Honest, hardworking, and a great partner for me in taking on the big challenges we faced the last eight years together. She has made a huge difference for us all in her time serving the residents of Herriman. We all owe her a debt of gratitude.”

In turn, Anderson is grateful for Ohrn’s guidance. “Lots of people have ideas but don't do anything about them. I loved seeing her example of hard work to truly make a difference,” Anderson said. “It's been important to me to see how connected Sherrie is to our Herriman community and how she has represented her district.”

Ohrn is most proud of her role in the creation of Herriman’s own police force. “[It was the] best decision in my eight years on the council,” she said. 

Saying goodbye

Last year, Orhn decided she was ready to close this chapter of her life. 

Sitting between Mayor Lorin Palmer and former Councilman Steven Shields, Sherrie Ohrn listens to a speaker at a city council meeting. (Photo courtesy Herriman City)

“Many thanks to Sherrie for her great example, dedicated service, and true care and concern for Herriman," Anderson said.

"[Sherrie] Ohrn is one of those dedicated individuals who was laser focused on making sure the city always did its best for our residents,” City Manager Nathan Cherpeski said. “I always knew [she] would push to make sure any policy, program or initiative we undertook was a benefit for our community.”

“She is so thoughtful and kind, always putting family first and making sure to check in on staff,” Thomas said. “I’ll miss having her at City Hall but know she will remain involved and active in Herriman.” 

The former council woman plans to continue serving her family and community however she can. She now enjoys additional time spent with her husband and their nine grandchildren. “I love to do anything outside, especially if it includes riding our horses or herding cows,” she said. 

“It’s been the honor of a lifetime serving with Sherrie,” Palmer said. “She didn’t just help guide Herriman through decisions at the moment; she helped set it on a better path for years to come… Sherrie represented Herriman and her district with class and dignity in every situation, even the tough ones. Herriman is better because of her."

“People—being able to work with them to resolve issues and develop solutions was my favorite part of serving,” she said. “It was a great honor to serve the residents of our community. I am truly thankful to them for the privilege.”