The Albert Lea City Council is expected to set the dates Monday for the special election for the vacant 1st Ward council seat.

Dates discussed Thursday during the council’s workshop included the following:

• Filing from Jan. 5-19, 2011.

• Special primary election on March 15, 2011, if there are more than two candidates who file.

• Special election on May 3, 2011.

• Councilor-elect to take office at the second City Council meeting in May 2011.

The council seat was vacated about a month ago after former 1st Ward Councilor Vern Rasmussen accepted the position as mayor.

The person who is elected as 1st Ward councilor will serve Rasmussen’s unexpired term, which ends December 2012.

City Clerk Shirley Slater-Schulte on Thursday said more money will have to be allotted than anticipated in the city’s elections budget to allow for the special election for this seat, as well as the special election for the open 5th District Freeborn County Commissioner seat.