A day after Ed Rieker resigned as mayor of Avondale Estates, the city has announced the timeline for holding a special election to fill the position.

According to the city, the earliest possible date for a special election would be March 17, 2015. The costs for the election will be paid by the city.

Mayor Pro Tem Terry Giager will serve as mayor until the city holds the election. The City Commission will have to vote on whether to accept Rieker’s resignation and declare the job vacant during a public meeting.

“The resignation is not effective and there is no vacancy in the office unless the (Board of Mayor and Commissioners) votes accordingly,” the announcement from the city says.

The city can’t hold the election in conjunction with the Nov. 4 general election because the law requires that there be at least 29 days between calling for a special election and the date of the election.

“Holding the special election on Nov. 4, 2014, would require a call by today, Oct. 3, 2014,” the timeline provided by the city says. “This cannot be achieved because the BOMC must first meet to accept the resignation and declare the position of Mayor vacant. The City must then notify the DeKalb County Board of Registration and Elections, and they will issue the call for the special election.”