How long will Versailles be without a mayor? ‘Hoping it’s soon.’ It’s up to Gov. Beshear.
For more than six weeks, Versailles has been without a mayor.
Brian Traugott left his position as mayor effective Oct. 1 to be the chief member services officer for the Kentucky League of Cities, which lobbies for cities in Frankfort and Washington, D.C. He served as mayor of the city for 13 years.
Following Traugott’s resignation, the council had 30 days to pick a successor. Four of the six current council members ran for the spot, but no one secured enough votes to become mayor.
Now, it’s too late for the council to pick their own leader.
Kentucky election law says if the council hasn’t picked a new mayor within 30 days, it’s up to the governor to appoint someone.
Gov. Andy Beshear has yet to make an appointment two weeks after the responsibility fell to him.
The process is at least in motion, Versailles City Clerk Elizabeth Reynolds said.
“I did receive an email from the Governor’s office today (Nov. 13) that stated that they are interviewing candidates and working through the process. They did not provide an anticipated timeline. So, we’re hoping it’s soon,” she said.
Reynolds said the email did not include the candidates being vetted for the position.
The appointed mayor will serve the remainder of Traugott’s term, which will end in 2026.
Still, it could take a while before Versailles has a mayor.
Back in 2023 when the mayor of White Plains, Joshua Slaton, was removed from office during an investigation for misappropriation of funds, the responsibility of appointing his replacement fell to Beshear.
He didn’t select a mayor until May 2024 — nine months after Slaton was removed from office.
This story was originally published November 14, 2024 at 4:45 AM.