Brandon Wright, who also holds a place on the city’s public safety committee speaks to the council, once again, on getting new surveillance equipment for the police department. Gage Wilson/ for Glasgow News 1
By GAGE WILSON
for Glasgow News 1
The Cave City City Council will need to appoint a new member following the resignation of Councilman Brandon Wright, who stepped down Friday, June 27, citing ongoing health issues.
His resignation marks the third consecutive year council members will have to fill a vacant council seat mid-term. In June 2023, the council faced pressure to act after the ousting of Ashlyn Hudson, and then once more the following year for Steve Pedigo. Pedigo resigned in April, 2024, citing health issues. He died in May 2024.
Wright began his second term last fall, after first winning his seat in 2022.
In a brief phone call Monday, Mayor Dwayne Hatcher said the council had not yet discussed whether the appointment will be handled during a special-called meeting or at the next regular meeting, scheduled for July 14.
“It just happened on Friday,” Hatcher said. “So we haven’t got to set a date yet.”
Kentucky law gives legislative bodies 30 days to fill a vacancy from the date it is created, which in this case is June 27 since Wright’s resignation was effective immediately. If the council fails to do so, the responsibility falls to the Governor’s Office, which would appoint a qualified resident to serve the remainder of the term.
Cave City’s council is composed of six members; with Wright’s departure, any appointee will require a minimum of three affirmative votes from council members to take the seat.
“This is purely a council decision,” Hatcher said, clarifying that he would not have a vote in the matter. In the event of a tie, no tiebreaker exists — meaning the council must reach a consensus before the deadline or defer to the state.
Wright, who is also owner of a local towing business, was often one of the more vocal members of the council during discussions around policy and law enforcement.
At what would be his final meeting in June, the council approved a $162,000 contract with Motorola to purchase surveillance equipment for officers, an initiative Wright had championed throughout his political career.
While no date has been set for considering a replacement, the council is required to give the public at least 24 hours notice ahead of a special-called meeting.
In the meantime, the seat will remain vacant until an appointment is made or the 30-day window closes.
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