CAHOKIA, Ill. (AP) — Local leaders in three communities that will merge after voters approved the plan say the next steps are preparing for a new city government and planning ways to inform residents.

Residents in Cahokia, Centreville and Alorton recently approved a referendum to merge the three cities into a single town that’ll be called Cahokia Heights.

The Belleville News-Democrat reports that voters will decide on new officials to form the government in an April election. The referendum calls for an aldermanic form of government.