AUBURN — A special election will be held June 13 to replace the Ward 4 City Council seat recently vacated by Ernestine “Tina” Gilbert. 

The Auburn City Council on Monday unanimously approved the election date, which will coincide with the city’s annual school budget validation referendum. 

Gilbert announced her resignation Dec. 19, saying that she would be moving from her home in the Ward 4 district, requiring her to forfeit her seat. 

According to Acting City Manager Denis D’Auteuil’s memo to the council this week, the June date is beneficial because of the cost savings associated with combining the special election with the school budget vote.  

According to the Auburn City Charter, when a vacancy occurs more than six months prior to the next regular election, the unexpired term is filled by a special election.

Gilbert, a retired social worker, was elected in November 2015. Since that time, she’s served on the council’s Transportation & Environment and Finance & Administration committees. 

The charter states that a mayor or councilor shall forfeit office if the person “lacks at any time during the term of office any qualifications for the office prescribed by this Charter or by law, including residency of the ward from which elected.” 

Gilbert said Monday that she did not foresee the move, adding it was a sudden decision.

“I would’ve loved to have completed my term, but life is what happens when we are making plans,” she said. 

At the Dec. 19 meeting, she said, “I’m gonna miss this whole deal. I’m not leaving because I want to.”

The June 13 special election would be for Ward 4 voters only. The ward includes the neighborhoods of Fairview and Sherwood Heights elementary schools.