If you've ever dreamed of being mayor of Eagle Mountain, dust off your résumé.

During a 20-minute special session of the City Council on Tuesday evening, members voted to set a Nov. 9 deadline for receiving "statements of interest" from people interested in the position. The only qualifications for the job, according to state law, are that applicants be registered voters and residents of Eagle Mountain for 365 days at the time they are appointed, said city recorder Gina Peterson.

Council members also agreed to hold a special session on Nov. 14 to appoint a mayor from among the applicants, saying another special session would allow them the time necessary to consider applicants without interfering with the regular business of the city at the already scheduled Nov. 21 meeting.

"This is something we need to take a lot of time with and ask all the hard questions," said interim Mayor Linn Strouse.

It was unclear after Tuesday's meeting whether the new appointed mayor would be full-time or not. Brian Olsen, who abruptly resigned as mayor last week, was Eagle Mountain's first full-time mayor, and he was paid a $70,000 salary. On Monday Olsen was charged with seven counts of misusing public funds, each a third-degree felony. His first court appearance is expected to be Nov. 17.

The city might face "slimmer pickings" if only full-time candidates are considered to fill the office of mayor, said Councilman David Blackburn, especially because that man or woman would only serve for a year. In November 2007 the appointed mayor's tenure will end and voters will elect someone to fill the remaining two years of Olsen's vacated term.

Strouse said she had already heard of five people interested in the office.

Councilwoman Heather Jackson said the appointed mayor would likely need to serve full-time in order to fulfill the demands of the city's business, but "some questions are better left for after we see the candidates out there," she said. "I think everyone should know it is a full-time job and there is a salary out there."

"If someone says 'I'm a qualified candidate but I'm looking for a part-time option,' we need to be open to that," said Blackburn.

Council members did not discuss the matter further. Strouse said media attention surrounding Olsen's sudden resignation and criminal charges would help "get the word out" about the need for applicants for mayor.

"Hopefully everyone will know and we will get a broad base of candidates," she said.

On Tuesday, Strouse said her goal during her 30 days as mayor would be to maintain continuity and stability.

"This is a difficult period, especially for many city employees who just found out about the situation yesterday," she said. "I am still evaluating what the city's needs are and opening the mail."

To help the city continue to run smoothly, "everyone is working hard and triaging," she said. "This is a team effort. It is not about what I am doing over the next 30 days but what we are all doing in the best interest of Eagle Mountain."

When asked whether she might make any staff changes, Strouse said she would possibly increase staff.

Correspondent Donna Milakovic contributed to this story. Caleb Warnock can be reached at 443-3263 or cwarnock@heraldextra.com.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page D2.