BEREA, Ky. — Berea City Councilmember Steve Davis has resigned from office, effective May 5, after accepting work responsibilities that will require significant travel over the coming months.
Mayor Bruce Fraley announced the resignation at the top of the May 5 council meeting. Davis told local media his job would make it difficult for him to regularly attend council meetings and fulfill other council-related duties. The council now has a vacancy to fill. Under Kentucky law, vacancies in elected city offices are initially filled by appointment, with further election requirements depending on the timing of the vacancy.
Davis was elected in November 2024 as a newcomer to city government, bringing more than 40 years of experience as a tax accountant and business owner. He had lived in Berea since 1986 and raised his family here.
During his campaign, Davis spoke about transparency in local government, including the idea that ordinances should include a named sponsor so residents would know who was behind them. He also supported better funding for parks and recreation and encouraged the city to include Berea College and the tourism industry in long-term planning.
In the time he served, Davis showed up. He attended community meetings on homelessness. He was present for discussions on immigration policy and the city’s role. He listened. His fellow council members noticed. Councilman Jerry Little said Davis “was a good councilman.” Councilwoman Katie Startzman said working with him had been a pleasure.
That is not nothing. In local government, showing up and treating people with respect matters more than most people realize.
A Personal Perspective on Public Service
I am proud to call Steve Davis a friend. I was glad to see him on the council, and I understand why he made this decision. Serving on city council is not easy. I know that from experience.
It is not glamorous. It is not high-paying. Much of the work happens quietly. You read packets. You take calls. You listen to concerns. You attend meetings. You try to understand budgets, streets, parks, public safety, planning, utilities, and all the regular business that keeps a city moving. Most people only see the meetings. They do not see the phone calls, emails, questions, reading, and worrying that happen before and after.
That is why I respect Steve’s decision so much.
He did not wait until his attendance became a problem. He did not try to hold on to the office while knowing he could not give it the time it deserves. He looked at the demands ahead of him and made the hard call. That is public service, too.
I understand this in a personal way. When I became Executive Director of Spotlight Acting School, I tried to hold on to my own council seat while also taking on a much larger workload. I stayed in communication and, in some ways, probably worked harder during the day than I had in previous terms. But performances and dress rehearsals pulled me away from attendance. In public service, people often only know what they see.
Instead of stepping aside gracefully, I let my name stay on the ballot. I did no real campaigning and attended no campaign events. I was not disappointed by the number of votes I received, but I have regretted not simply dropping out when I knew I could no longer give the office what it needed.
That is why I recognize the wisdom in Steve’s decision.
Leaving a Quiet Mark
During his time on council, Davis served on the Audit and Finance Committee and the Parks Committee. Those are not flashy assignments, but they matter. Audit and Finance deals with the city’s money and financial review. Parks deals with public spaces that affect families, children, recreation, and quality of life.
Steve is not someone who speaks just to hear himself talk. When he speaks, it is because he has considered the issue. That kind of leadership matters, especially in local government.
It would have been easier to hold the seat and hope everything worked out. It would have been easier to stay quiet and see how many meetings he could make. But Steve chose the more honest path. He recognized that the people of Berea deserve council members who can be present and fully engaged. That decision says a lot about his character.
There will be time for the city to fill the vacancy. For now, I simply want to say thank you.
Thank you, Steve, for being willing to serve. Thank you for bringing your honesty, kindness, and steady judgment to Berea City Council. Thank you for recognizing when the demands of work and the demands of public office could no longer fit together.
Berea was fortunate to have him, even briefly.
Vacancy Process: Anyone interested in following the vacancy process can contact the Berea City Council at citycouncil@bereaky.gov.
Kentucky League of Cities Vacancy FAQ:https://www.klc.org/news/473/FAQ
About the Author
Dr. Chad Hembree is the Executive Director of Spotlight Acting School, The Spotlight Playhouse, and Spotlight Performing Arts. Affectionately known to the community as “Mr. Chad,” he is a playwright, director, and performer with a professional background spanning music, theater, and technology. As a contributor and editor for BereaOnline.com, he focuses on highlighting community news, local events, and the evolving intersection of technology and the arts in Madison County.