Just a few hours after somebody else took his place on the Payson City Council Wednesday night, Steven Hanson was sworn in to fill another open seat.

Hanson was one of seven applicants vying to fill the remaining two years of Burtis Bills' term, who is now the city's mayor. Hanson was also selected by the council less than three months ago to fill the remaining weeks of Colleen Jacobson's term, who resigned to take a position with the city.

While the final vote took just seconds, the council's decision didn't come immediately. Bills recommended that the council appoint Brad Daley, who was the third highest vote-getter in the November election. He was also on the council before losing by less than 100 votes.

Also on the list of applicants was Rick Moore, who ran against Bills for the mayoral seat, and Jim Mower, who also applied for Jacobson's seat.

After 45 minutes in a closed session, during which the council "discussed competency, and on and on and on," Bills said, a consensus was reached, one with which he felt comfortable, despite the difference with his earlier recommendation.

"It was a decision made with a lot of thought," he said.

Hanson was sworn in and shook hands with his fellow council members, then asked to be excused for the remainder of the evening to be with his wife.

Heidi Toth can be reached at 344-2543 or htoth@heraldextra.com.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page B9.