Herriman City kicked off 2026 with its oath of office ceremony swearing in four of the five elected officials. 

Mayor Lorin Palmer and District 2 City Councilmember Teddy Hodges began their second terms. District 3 Councilmember Matt Basham wins his election, taking over from outgoing member Sherrie Ohrn who served two terms. District 4 Councilmember Terrah Anderson begins what will be a two-year term, having won her election unopposed. Anderson was selected in May 2025 to replace Steven Shields, who moved out of the city. By winning the election in November, Anderson will serve out the rest of the term to 2028. 

The ceremony, which saw Judge Lisa Garner swear in each elected official one at a time, saw each official take their oath and share some words. 

Teddy Hodges

Hodges delivered a statement that sounded awfully familiar to any history buffs. The second-term council member did a spin on Abraham Lincoln’s famous Gettysburg address, substituting Herriman-centric words within the famous speech. It served as a natural analogy of Herriman’s current growth to America’s early years. 

He highlighted his 16 years in the city, identifying Herriman as an “exceptional place to raise a family” and a “community defined by mountain ridges, wide open spaces and the spirit of neighbors helping neighbors.” 

Matt Basham

“It’s an honor and a responsibility to stand before you today,” Basham said to begin his remarks. 

He thanked residents, friends and family in his speech, especially noting the outgoing Ohrn. “Those are going to be some hard footsteps to follow.” 

Basham also thanked Heather Garcia, who he defeated in the election and acknowledged her continuing service to the city on the planning commission. 

His gratitude continued to the city staff who he noted are what make Herriman a “fantastic place. I cannot express to you guys how fantastic our city staff is, they are the best in the business and we are lucky to have you.” 

Part of why Herriman stands as an important place to the newly elected council member, he said, was his family all live in Herriman, notably his parents. 

Calls from angry residents aren’t what scare the parttime sports referee, he said. “I’m nervous about the call I would get from my mom.” 

Terrah Anderson

Anderson came to Herriman 17 years ago she said, with two toddlers in tow. Her family has grown with two more kids while the first two now stand as a senior in high school and sophomore in college. 

Likewise, she said, the community has grown, and she looks forward to community engagement and long-range planning as the city readies itself for the challenges and opportunities ahead. 

Anderson came to the council from the planning commission, having previously had the desire to “get more involved” in the community. Her involvement grew exponentially joining the dais council members and is happy she could have a “running start” and “get her feet wet” over the past year as she’s gotten to know more residents, the inner workings of municipal government and developed more skillsets. 

“Happy to be able to have these opportunities to learn and grow in our city…it’s been a little bit of a whirlwind and I’ve enjoyed it,” she said.

Lorin Palmer

The second-term mayor noted the growth of the swearing-in ceremony itself. He said four years ago when he, Hodges and Ohrn were sworn in, only about 20 people were present. The 2026 ceremony saw a full council chambers. 

“We’ve come a long ways,” he said. 

Along with expressing his gratitude to family, residents, volunteers and city staff, Palmer noted his desire as a public servant to find a way to make a difference. He hoped everyone had felt that effort over the past four years. 

“I’m deeply grateful and humbled by the trust the community has placed in me to serve a second term as your mayor,” Palmer said, later adding his reelection is a “responsibility I carry with gratitude, determination and a relentless desire to serve.” 

Looking back over the past four years, Palmer highlighted the city’s strengthened financial position, the investment in infrastructure, expanded parks, enhanced public safety and new businesses. 

“These aren’t just accomplishments,” he told the crowd. “They are proof that when a community works together, with teamwork, thoughtful planning and a shared vision, we can build something that lasts.”

But the work is far from finished, he said. He listed responsible growth, maintaining city services, strengthening public safety, improving transportation and ensuring Herriman remains welcoming as areas of focus. 

“I believe deeply in this city.”