Ward 5 Councilman Brian Holmes has resigned from Vermilion City Council, stepping down roughly a month before the end of his term. Holmes was not seeking re-election and would have concluded his service at the end of December, but he submitted notice that health concerns made it necessary to finish slightly early. Council President John Gabriel announced the resignation during Monday night’s meeting.
Mayor Jim Forthofer said after the meeting that he was “very sad” to see Holmes leave after ten years on council. Because the agenda was full, Forthofer plans to offer a formal thank-you and public acknowledgment of Holmes’ service at the December 1 meeting. He emphasized that Holmes’ decade on council represents a significant commitment to the community and deserves recognition.
Gabriel noted that the timing of the resignation leaves no practical way to appoint an interim replacement, since the required public notice and application window would take 30 days. With only a few meetings remaining in 2025, the seat will remain vacant until the new council is sworn in. Gabriel said he respects Holmes’ decision and understands the circumstances behind his early departure.
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