Flowery Branch's interim mayor, Mike Miller, announced Thursday night he plans to resign Sept. 27 to run for mayor.

Once he submits a written resignation, the city can begin preparing an ordinance calling for a Nov. 2 special election to replace him.

Yet he can't resign before Sept. 27, the first day of qualifying for the mayor's post, because the city council wouldn't be able to govern.

The city charter requires three council members and a mayor or interim mayor for the government to function.

Miller, a councilman who had been appointed mayor pro tem, stepped in for Diane Hirling after she resigned last month as mayor. Councilman Craig Lutz resigned in April to run for the Hall County Board of Commissioners.

Besides Miller, who began his first four-year term on the council in January, the council now consists of council members Chris Fetterman, Tara Richards and Kris Yardley.

The city will hold a Sept. 21 election to replace Lutz. And the council voted Thursday night to set a Nov. 2 special election to replace Hirling.

Qualifying will take place Sept. 27-29.