For nearly a quarter century, Audree Juhlin has been a mainstay with the city of Sedona. Despite wearing several hats during her tenure, her goal has remained the same — to serve the public and make the city a better place to work and live.

But as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. Juhlin will be leaving the city on Thursday,
July 5, as she embarks on a new chapter of her life in Montana.

“This was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make,” Juhlin said. “For me it’s very rewarding to drive down the road and to think I was part of this project or helped work on that one and see the positive impact visually it’s made on the community. We are the gatekeepers to help balance the manmade environment with the natural beauty of Sedona. I’m going to miss that.”

Juhlin came to the city in 1994 after serving eight years for Park City, Utah. She was hired as an administrative assistant with the Sedona Parks and Recreation Department before being promoted to a research assistant with community development. She would later become an assistant planner, associate planner, assistant director and, in 2014, became community development director.

In 2016 she and her husband, Bob Tribbensee, bought a retirement home in Montana. Last year, a large wildfire came within yards of the home, which resulted in Tribbensee deciding it was best to move there full time. He retired as the deputy chief of the Mesa Fire Department and moved to Montana last December. Juhlin planned to join him full time in the next few years with the couple seeing each other at least once a month.

But that plan changed when she was recently offered a job as city clerk in nearby Stevensville, Mont. It was something she couldn’t pass up, especially since the couple has been married less than a year.

“I’m not ready to retire — I still need to do something, otherwise I’ll be bored,” Juhlin said. “I wasn’t looking to leave Sedona because for the last 24 years this has been my family. There honestly has not been a day that I haven’t wanted to come to work.”

Many of Juhlin’s fellow department heads said she will be missed in many ways.

• City Manager Justin Clifton: “Audree is truly a dynamic and special leader. She contributed 24 years to the city and worked her way up after decades of hard work. She’s a visionary leader with a relentless pursuit of improvement.”
• Assistant City Manager Karen Osburn: “Audree is, without exception, one of the brightest, most professional and competent people I have ever had the pleasure of working with. There is a reason why Audree is one of the first people we go to when we need to tackle an organizational issue or pursue any type of process improvement — she’s good at what she does and she’s simply great to be around.”
• City Attorney Robert Pickels: “I have learned a lot from Audree since joining the city of Sedona team. I have always been impressed with her sense of what is best for this community. She is one of those people who really wants to make a difference with the work she does.”
• City Clerk Susan Irvine: “Audree provides a great historical view and a wealth of institutional knowledge which will be a loss to the city. She is always willing to be a sounding board and to offer her advice or opinion. I will miss her, both professionally and personally, and wish her the best of luck.”
• Parks and Recreation Manager Rachel Murdoch: “I love that Audree was always open to new ideas. If there was a better way to perform an old process, she never got hung up on, ‘well that’s just the way we have always done it.’ I appreciate working with people who have that good attitude.” 
• Economic Development Director Molly Spangler: “I‘ve only had the pleasure of working with Audree for a couple years. I remember in my interview how passionate she was about the community and quality of life here. That mindset has continued through my short tenure here. She is a model for leadership, community support and a professional friend. She will be missed.” 
• Police Chief David McGill: “Audree is the calm, poised leader we all want near us when tough issues are presented and dealt with. As one of the newest members of the Sedona city team, I could always count on Audree for advice and counsel, particularly regarding historical information of all things Sedona. Her departure will be a huge loss for our community, but we were blessed to have her for the years we did.” 
• Finance Director Cherie Wright: “I haven’t worked with Audree long, but it has been a great pleasure working with her. She is always very conscientious and works to find a solution whenever possible. Lots of well wishes to her in her next life chapter.”
• Wastewater Manager Roxanne Holland: “Audree has been someone I’ve admired during my tenure with the city; she has been a role model to many through her leadership skills, sincerity and perseverance. Her longevity with the city and the historical viewpoint she brings to the table are invaluable and irreplaceable. Audree will be missed on so many levels, and I wish her the best in all her future adventures.”
• City Engineer Andy Dickey: “Audree has been a great mentor over the years. She will be missed. I congratulate her on retirement and wish her the best of luck in the future.”

That admiration is mutual.

“I know it’s cliche, but it’s the people I will miss most,” Juhlin said. “This was my life for the last 24 years. I’ve created so many strong relationships both here at city hall and within the community. I’m going to miss that.”

Ron Eland can be reached at 282-7795, ext. 122 or by email at reland@larsonnewspapers.com