Danville City Commission unanimously appoints Audrey Sarris to fill late commissioner’s seat

The Danville City Commission on Oct. 25 unanimously appointed Audrey Sarris to fill the unexpired term of Commissioner Rick Sarris, who died Sept. 22, 2025, the commission said at a special meeting.

City Clerk read Resolution 202510-21-O1 into the record, saying the vacancy was declared Oct. 13 and that "Kentucky law requires the board of commissioners to appoint an individual to fulfill the unexpired term." The resolution notes it is the city’s tradition to offer a deceased commissioner’s seat to a family member and states that Audrey Sarris has agreed to serve.

Commissioners moved and seconded the resolution following the clerk’s reading. The clerk conducted a roll-call vote: Commissioner Nancy Caudill voted yes; Commissioner Peake voted yes; Mayor Atkins voted yes; Commissioner Holly voted yes. The commission’s chair announced the resolution passed by unanimous vote.

The resolution directs the city clerk to administer the oath of office to Audrey Sarris at the next regularly scheduled meeting or as soon thereafter as practical. No other discussion, public comment, or dissent was recorded in the meeting transcript.

Resolution text cited prior examples of family appointments after a commissioner’s death, naming the appointments of Kevin Caudill and Paige Stevens as precedents; those names were mentioned in the resolution’s narrative but were not part of the Oct. 25 proceedings.

The special meeting opened with a moment of silence and adjourned immediately after the vote and a motion to adjourn.