Former Councilwoman Heather Jackson vacated her seat in the middle of her four-year term to take the city's helm after residents overwhelmingly elected her mayor in November. But rather than putting applicants through the rigors of an election, the latecomer gets the luxury of an appointment from the existing council.

At its first meeting of the year on Tuesday, Eagle Mountain's City Council decided it would hold a special meeting - at 6 p.m. on Jan. 31 - to hear from council candidates and ask them questions. That discussion will be followed by a vote, in which the members will select and swear in their choice for council member. Interested residents must submit letters of interest to the recorder's office by 5 p.m. on Jan. 28. - Steve Gehrke