Eagle Mountain is only 9 years old. And Brian Olsen, who will be sworn in as the town's new mayor on Monday, is 34.

"I'm probably one of the youngest mayors in the state and certainly the youngest in Utah County," says Olsen, who has taken extended leave - four years - from his job as a Utah Highway Patrol trooper to become mayor of this city 15 miles west of Lehi.

Olsen says he brings a positive attitude and the right aptitude to the job. He vows his administration will be like a "breath of fresh air."

With Mayor David Lifferth's resignation on Dec. 6, Olsen already has a head start on municipal matters. He has been serving as mayor pro tem for nearly a month - long enough to make an impression.

"He's a stand-up guy who has the desire to work well with the citizenry and move the city forward," Councilman Vincent Liddiard said Thursday. "I'm sure he'll do a great job."

Still, Olsen faces some significant challenges. Eagle Mountain officials estimate the city now numbers 13,500. But other than a seasonal golf course, a few eateries and day-care centers, it has no real commercial business.

Moreco, the town's sole grocery store, closed its doors months ago, and residents now must drive to Cedar Fort or Saratoga Springs to buy groceries.

Further exacerbating matters, getting to and from Eagle Mountain during prime drive times is tough. The traffic along state Routes 68 and 73 is often bumper-to-bumper - something that has steered several businesses to locate elsewhere.

Olsen, however, says new leadership at City Hall has stirred some interest.

"But we have nothing firm yet," adds Olsen, who has already met with other mayors and state lawmakers to address the region's transportation woes.

Without more tax revenues from business in city coffers, Olsen acknowledges adding parks, a skate park and other amenities that residents want will be tough. Nonetheless, he is confident he and the City Council can find creative ways to get funds.

Eagle Mountain leaders - Lifferth and his mayoral predecessor Kelvin Bailey included - already have made significant headway in reducing municipal red ink.

Restructuring in October of the city's $21 million gas-and-electricity bond trimmed its yearly payment from $1.3 million to about $680,000. Over the past 18 months, the city has reduced its debt through bond restructuring by about $12 million.

And once the sale of Eagle Mountain Telecom to Idaho-based Direct Communications becomes official on Jan. 31, the city's $50 million debt should be reduced by another $4 million.

"The City Council, former mayors and myself have worked hard to reduce that debt," said Olsen.

Despite Bailey's significant contribution, Olsen opposes permanently naming City Hall after the former mayor who resigned in June, something Lifferth proposed by proclamation as his last official act before resigning earlier this month.

Olsen's says his stance is not due to Bailey's no-contest plea 19 months ago to telling police a phony story. To account for his mysterious disappearance during a pheasant-hunting trip in late March 2003, Bailey told investigators he had been abducted.

"My intention is not to offend anyone," Olsen said, adding that Bailey accomplished a lot as mayor. "But my personal opinion is that a city hall belongs to the people and shouldn't carry the name of any one individual."

If Eagle Mountain's growth is to continue, Olsen says, his administration must shore up its water supply. That might include expanding its sewage treatment plant in the south service area. The plant is slated to reach capacity within the next year. Expansion could total $500,000.

Finally, once Olsen is sworn in as mayor and officially gets started, he must finish a full four-year term - a feat never managed by any of his predecessors.

The mayoral job pays a combined $70,000 per year in salary and benefits.

meddington@sltrib.com

Brian B. Olsen

* Age: 34

* Career: A Utah Highway Patrol trooper for nine years before taking an extended leave of absence to serve as Eagle Mountain mayor.

* Education: Bachelor's degree in international relations and master's degree in public administration from Brigham Young University.

* Political experience: Appointed to the Eagle Mountain City Council in January 2005 to fill the seat vacated by Mark Madsen, who resigned after his election to the Utah Senate.

* Personal: He and his wife, Aytana, have been married for 10 years and have four children.

* Fun fact: Accomplished tenor who sings a lot at church, weddings and other events.