The Laurinburg City Council is scheduled to swear in it's newest member – Joy Ellison – at tonight's council meeting, where the board will begin the annual budget process.

Ellison, who takes Amanda Faulk Doerffel's seat, was appointed last week by a 4-1 vote, with Mayor Pro Tempore Tommy Parker dissenting because of concerns about Ellison's residency.

Mayor Matthew Block said city council has several meetings over the coming weeks to finalize the budget.

"Over the next two weeks city council and department heads will be meeting several times to work on the coming year's budget, with the first meeting scheduled for Tuesday," Block said. "The city manager has disbursed a preliminary budget for council's review. The budget must be finalized by June 30. The other item of business is regarding the council seat vacated by Ms Doerrfel last week and whether council wants to swear in Ellison, who they elected to fill the seat last council meeting."

The meeting will starts at 6:30 p.m. and will be held in the City Council Chambers, overtop the Laurinburg Police Department at the intersection of Church and Everette streets.

City Council has discussed reviewing its contracts with the city's auditor and lawyer during this year's budget process.