After a three-month vacancy, Selma has a city clerk and a city treasurer.

Mayor James Perkins Jr. appointed former secretary Lois Williams as acting city clerk and former assistant treasurer Sequita Oliver as acting city treasurer on Tuesday. The appointments became effective Wednesday.

The Selma City Council voted not to appoint Williams and Oliver as city clerk and treasurer, respectively, at it’s Monday night meeting. The votes failed, 4 – 4, with council members Nancy Sewell, B.L. Tucker, James Durry and President George Evans voting in favor of the appointments. Council members Rita Sims Franklin, Jean Martin, Bennie Ruth Crenshaw and Glenn Sexton voted against.

Councilman Sam Randolph wasn’t present at Monday’s meeting.

At least five votes are needed for the appointment.

After the failed city clerk vote, Evans suggested Perkins appoint someone to the

position until the council could come to some agreement.

Williams and Oliver were chosen, Perkins added, because they already are

working for the city and are immediately available to address critical issues Selma is facing.

Councilwoman Nancy Sewell agreed with Perkins’ decision.

Williams and Oliver have been doing the work of the city clerk and city treasurer in addition to their previous jobs, Sewell explained, and it was only proper to give them the job titles for their work.

The council will now observe Williams and Oliver at their jobs while a permanent solution to the vacancies is explored.

Councilwoman Rita Sims Franklin said she wasn’t surprised by Perkins’ decision, and added she voted &uot;no&uot; on the appointments Monday because she wanted to reopen the selection process,

though the council can appoint someone without starting that process again.