A representative has been appointed to fill an unexpired term on the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors.

According to records filed Tuesday in Botetourt County Circuit Court, Donna Vaughn of Eagle Rock will take over the Fincastle District supervisor's seat until elections are held in November.

The seat was held by Don Meredith, who died Jan. 8.

Circuit Court Judge Malfourd "Bo" Trumbo was called upon by the board after they were unable to select a candidate.

"We had to make a decision within 45 days ... to either make our own appointment or refer to the judge," said Don Assaid, chairman of the board of supervisors and the Valley District representative.

He said a replacement needed to be tapped before the board's next meeting at the end of the month to discuss school and county budgets.

"We need to make sure all five districts are covered," he said. "You can't get a majority with four."

As if to underscore that point, the board in an executive session Tuesday failed to find a majority vote for a candidate.

"We just decided it would probably be in the best interest to let the judge decide," said Terry Austin, who represents the Buchanan District. He declined to say how many names were considered during their session.

Trumbo's decision to appoint Vaughn came just hours after the board deferred the decision to him.

"Apparently, Judge Trumbo was expecting that would be the case and had already given it some thought," Assaid said.

On Tuesday, the board also petitioned the Circuit Court to issue a writ of election to be held in November 2010 to permanently fill the vacancy.

Vaughn, 63, is the mother of four children and the former director of guidance for Alleghany County Schools. Her husband, Steve, retired in September as Eagle Rock's postmaster.

"We had a wonderful representative to that board with Don Meredith," she said. "He worked so hard for the whole county, as well as our district."

Staff writer Cathy Benson contributed to this report.