Carole Smitherman has taken over as Interim Mayor for the City of Birmingham.

On Thursday, Smitherman spoke with reporters for about an hour. Her message: Birmingham will continue to move forward as ongoing projects will continue.

But in the coming days Smitherman says she wants a full accounting of the city budget.

Smitherman adds that while Interim Mayor, she will continue to serve District 6.

"Those who elected me three times to the city council represent a wide and diverse constituency and I pledge I will be their city council woman and they're mayor as well."

Smitherman will serve as Interim Mayor until November 23rd a day later a new city council will be sworn in.

Whomever that council selects as council president will then serve as Interim Mayor until an election is held.

The election will be scheduled for either December 1st or December 8th.