HERRIMAN — Registered voters in this fast-growing southwest Salt Lake County city will go to the polling booths this fall and cast ballots for just one City Council representative instead of four.
And more changes to the city's government could be on the way.
City officials are exploring the possibility of making the office of mayor a full-time job. And at least one councilman wants to take away the mayor's status as a voting member of the City Council.
Last month, the Herriman City Council voted to divide the city into four districts of roughly 6,000 residents. Previously, all four council members, as well as the mayor, were at-large positions, meaning all residents voted in each race.
This year, neighbors will elect their neighbors.
"We want people to know the person they're voting for," Councilman Mike Day said.
Day said he believes going to a district format will make sure people are elected based on who they are and what they can do for their neighbors rather than someone who "might not be a good guy" but can afford to flood the city with campaign signs.
"Districting solves that," Day said.
Without mentioning names, Day cited as an example the issue with former Herriman City Councilman Milton "Mick" Shannon, who resigned from the council in May 2010 — a little more than four months after taking office — after criminal charges were filed against him.
In July 2010, Shannon pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of criminal mischief for slashing tires and damaging the vehicle of a man he accused of having an affair with his wife. Shannon originally faced a second-degree felony charge.
Day, who took office in January 2008, is running for a second term — this time as the City Council representative in District 4. Council seats also are open in districts 1 and 2, areas currently represented by Matt Robinson and Raquel DeLuca, respectively. DeLuca was appointed to the post last year to replace Shannon.
Both Robinson and DeLuca also have filed for re-election. The contest in DeLuca's district will be for a two-year seat — filling the time remaining in Shannon's term.
The role of Herriman's mayor also faces possible changes. City officials are weighing the pros and cons of increasing the mayor's salary to make the office a full-time job.
The current annual salary for the position is $21,000, which limits the amount of time most people can devote to the job. The council recently discussed increasing that salary to $85,000, plus benefits.
A decision about that change, however, is still several months away, Mayor Josh Mills said. City leaders first want to hear from other full-time mayors in nearby communities such as Taylorsville and Eagle Mountain.
And most importantly, they want input from Herriman residents. City officials are preparing an information packet that would explain what a full-time mayor would mean to the city. A survey of city residents on the proposal is also planned.
"We want to represent the residents," Miller said. "We want to do what they want to do. If they want someone representing them full time, that's what we'll do."
No matter the outcome of that proposal, Councilman Craig Tischner wants to separate the city's executive and legislative branches of government by taking away the mayor's vote on the council.
"There's really no checks and balances (under the current form of government)," Tischner said.
Eliminating the mayor's vote also would necessitate a fifth City Council seat — which Tischner envisions as being an at-large position voted on by the entire city.
"With the expedited growth we've had in Herriman, it's time to take a look at these things," he said.
Tischner is working to get a proposed form-of-government change on the ballot for voters' approval in November.
Email: jpage@desnews.com