Herriman Mayor Lorin Palmer is asking voters for a second go-around as the suburb’s leader.
He’ll have to get through a challenge from Ty Brady — who will appear on ballots as Ty R. Brady — before he can be sworn in again. Brady is the CEO of a health insurance company based in Draper.
The Salt Lake Tribune sent a survey to candidates in Salt Lake County’s Nov. 4 municipal mayoral elections. Answers may be edited for style and clarity. Here’s how Palmer and Brady responded, listed in alphabetical order by last name:
Outside of housing or transportation, what is the biggest problem your community faces and how would you overcome it?
Brady: Outside of housing and transportation, one of the biggest challenges our community faces is the lack of a strong local economy. Too many of our tax dollars come from homeowners rather than businesses. This imbalance drives up property taxes and limits the services we can provide. My solution is to aggressively grow our commercial tax base by attracting businesses, supporting local entrepreneurs and making it easier for employers to invest here. By doing this, we lower the burden on families, create local jobs and build a healthier long-term financial foundation for our city.
Palmer: The biggest challenge we are facing is misinformation that divides us. Some say city leaders are asleep at the switch, but we’re working hard to attract businesses that strengthen our economy. False claims can discourage investment. There’s also confusion about density. Most was approved before I became mayor, but we’ve worked to negotiate concessions that benefit residents and improve infrastructure. Frustration with past decisions led me to create Herriman for Responsible Growth and run for mayor. By staying transparent and focused on facts, we can keep Herriman united and moving forward.
What transportation improvements will you pursue to help residents get around easily, quickly and safely?
Brady: Transportation is one of the most important quality-of-life issues for our residents. I will focus on improving east-west connectivity, expanding road capacity where bottlenecks occur and investing in smart traffic signal technology to reduce congestion. At the same time, I’ll work on safer pedestrian crossings, better bike routes and partnerships to expand regional transit options. My goal is to make it easier, quicker and safer for residents to get where they need to go — whether that’s by car, bike, foot or transit.
Palmer: This past year we secured our first Utah Transit Authority bus route, giving residents a connection to transit. We also worked to connect 13200 South and 13800 South to neighboring cities. In 2026, Juniper Crest Road will be built and we’ll begin the realignment of Bacchus Highway, which will connect to 7300 West and Main. In 2027, construction will begin on the freeway portion of Mountain View Corridor. We’ll continue working with our neighboring cities and the state to improve east-west mobility — the toughest challenge in our area. We will also expand our bike lanes and active transportation routes, creating a complete transportation network.
Utah is now tied with Idaho and Rhode Island for the seventh most expensive housing market in the nation. As mayor, how will you approach affordability, growth and growing pains in your city?
Brady: Housing costs are stretching families thin, and as mayor, I’ll make sure growth doesn’t come at the expense of your quality of life. Herriman has already taken on more high-density housing than most cities, and I’ll fight to slow that down until our roads, schools, water and public safety can keep up. At the same time, I’ll work to bring in more businesses so the tax burden isn’t falling mostly on families. My focus is on protecting the character of our community, keeping it affordable for the next generation and making sure Herriman remains a place where families want to stay and put down roots.
Palmer: Housing affordability requires real solutions and not all fall on the government. We’re planning to allow external accessory dwelling units to give families more flexible, affordable options. We also need to build true starter homes — small single-family homes on smaller lots for young families. Since transportation costs affect affordability, we’re also creating commercial and employment centers right here in Herriman so residents can work, shop and dine close to home. We also need to find ways to increase wages as wages have not kept up with increasing costs.
Immigration has been an important issue in many communities, especially in those that are considering law enforcement partnerships with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Would you support such a partnership in your community?
Brady: Declined to answer.
Palmer: Declined to answer.
If elected, would you advocate for your community to conserve more water to aid the Great Salt Lake?
Brady: Yes.
Palmer: Yes.
What’s a fun or interesting fact about yourself?
Brady: A fun fact about me is that I love coaching youth sports. It’s been a great way to give back, connect with families and see firsthand how much our kids benefit from strong community support.
Palmer: In 2021, I created the Herriman Work From Home Group to support local businesses and bring residents together. Each week we meet at a local restaurant, combining good food with great conversation. The lunches have become a relaxed “Ask Me Anything” opportunity for residents to share feedback with me.