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Selma Mayor James Perkins Jr. filed Petition for Emergency Injunctive Relief and Petition for Declaratory  Judgment in the Dallas County Circuit Court on Thursday.

Perkins, who’s suing over the city council over passing an adopted 2022-23 budget, filed the petition in office of Circuit Court Lynnethia Bennett.

“Because I have not heard from the city council leadership about a special call meeting to  reverse the budget action taken during the March 14, 2023 council meeting, I have no choice  but to seek a legal remedy for the people and citizens of Selma,” Perkins said in a release. “Neither has  been set on a court docket, but it is my hope that these filings will be expedited.”

At a press conference Wednesday at City Hall, Perkins said the city council’s defunding several positions: Assistant Police Chief, : IT Department, Parks and Recreation, Legal Department, and Tax and License in addition to 27 people and 57 positions being eliminated

“To the employees of the City of Selma know that your employment status with the city has  not changed and will not change until a judge rules on the matter,” Perkins said. “This means that those  who received proposed pay increases will not receive them and those who were targeted for termination still have your jobs. Although a judge will ultimately decide the legality of the  City Council’s actions, I know their actions are not in the best interest of the citizens of Selma  nor you as employees. And now I fast and pray, and continue doing the work for our beloved Selma. “