Since Dr. Monica Newton announced she and her family were moving and vacating her position on the Selma City Council, there has been an ongoing discussion of whether the city could afford yet another special election.

During Tuesday’s council meeting, Selma Mayor George Evans gave council members proof that they can, in fact, pay for it.

“Based on the money we have saved on the salaries for the council seat as well as the secretary for the council, we have enough money to cover the projected costs of the election and even the runoff,” Evans said.

During the council’s last meeting in March there remained some doubt as to whether the city could afford the election, which is now set for Tuesday, May 24 and has eight qualified candidates competing for the Ward 3 position.

“It was tough but we we’re able to do it with some progressive planning,” council president pro-tem Corey Bowie said. “There were some sacrifices we had to make, but I’m glad we were able to find the money to have the special election.”

Last year the council was faced with a similar problem when a special election was needed to fill the Ward 1 position, a seat won by Tommy Atchison.

“Given the circumstances that we are in, it’s been tough but I don’t see how I could support taking the decision out of the people’s hands,” Atchison said. “There were a lot of people who opposed the election and favored appointing someone because of the money, but the work the mayor has done and the council has done, we were able to save the money.”

According to projections provided to the council Tuesday evening, city officials are projecting the May 24 election costing the city just over $13,000, but there are some costs that are “approximate” and “estimates” that could go up.

And, with eight qualified candidates, it is likely there will be a need for the July 5 runoff election, which officials estimate would cost an additional $7,000.

The council and mayor project enough savings based on the council’s decision in January not to replace Dianna Johnson, the former council secretary, until after the election, saving Johnson’s salary, benefits and other employee costs. The council also found savings in the salary not being paid to a council member for six months.