Liane Stillman - who five years ago led a fledgling Holladay - was tapped this week to do the same for Cottonwood Heights, this time as an appointed city manager.

"It's a huge task," Stillman said.

She would know.

In 1999, Stillman became the first mayor of Holladay. At that time, Holladay's full-time mayor oversaw the day-to-day operations of the city. Those are the same duties that Cottonwood Heights city manager will cover when the city officially incorporates next month.

Stillman was the unanimous choice of Cottonwood Heights' incoming City Council and mayor. She was picked from 25 applicants.

"She will, I think, be a balancing influence," said Cottonwood Heights Mayor-elect Kelvyn Cullimore.

Technically, this community of 35,000 will not be a city until the incorporation process is complete, and city officials have no money to pay Stillman until early January. Nonetheless, Stillman is ready to start, without pay and without an office.

"I'll start tomorrow," she said. "When I have an office, I will have an open door. In the meantime, I have a cell phone."

High on the priority list for the new manager: determining what staff will be needed and working out contracts - which the council and mayor already have started - for police services, public works and animal control.

jsantini@sltrib.com