HAYDEN — Interim Hayden Mayor Sandra White?

It could happen.

During the Hayden City Council meeting Tuesday evening, acting mayor and Council President Matt Roetter proposed the council consider appointing an interim mayor from among sitting members.

“Do we have any — other than me, I’m not interested — do we have any council members that are interested in being interim mayor?” Roetter asked.

Councilwoman White raised her hand.

“I really feel like an elected official would do well in this role,” White said. “I feel like I could, I could do this. I would like to put myself forward for this position. I believe in the time that I’ve been attending the meetings and seeing the process that I have a finger on what’s going on. I feel like I can do this and I would like to put myself forward for role of mayor.”

“Really? I’ll be darned,” a meeting attendee could be heard saying after White’s statement.

Roetter then made the motion that in the next meeting, which will be March 22, the council would decide whether White would be appointed interim mayor.

Councilman Ed DePriest seconded the motion. Absent Councilman Roger Saterfiel, the council unanimously approved the motion.

“So that means now we’re going to talk about the process and try to establish how we want to proceed,” Roetter said.

If approved at the March 22 meeting, White would be appointed as Hayden’s interim mayor. She would serve in that capacity until the term expires in January 2024.

If not, the council will open it to the community.

“I think we need to begin, open the candidates and interview process now and develop that process and then the first thing we do next meeting is entertain the issue with council member White and depending on the outcome of that, move forward from there,” DePriest said.

Council members then discussed what would transpire if White is not appointed and the process opens to the public.

Roetter said he likes the idea of advertising the position and for applicants to submit letters and resumes for the review of the council and human resources department.

“Vetting is important in the job that we have to do, which is selecting our future interim mayor,” Roetter said. “I think that’s critical.”

He also said he wants this to be “as open to the public as possible.”

“Government gets more trust of the people when we’re as open as possible,” he said.

He said he doesn’t want to put a timeline on it; he’s willing to serve as acting mayor “as long as it takes to get the best person possible, the most qualified, and I hope my council members feel the same way.”

DePriest said he agrees with Roetter.

“I don’t think we want to rush this process,” he said. “We need to be very careful and judicious about how we evaluate the person who will end up sitting in that chair until next election.”

He said it’s “very important to be very slow and thoughtful in the process.”

White said she also agrees with Roetter and DePriest’s comments on the appointment process.

Roetter then made a second motion that the council will determine specifics of the process at the next meeting if White is not appointed.

The motion was unanimously approved.

The next meeting will be held at the Hayden Council Chambers at 5 p.m. March 22.