Five people are seeking to fill the unexpired term of Butler County Commissioner James Kennedy, who is leaving July 15 to take a job with the state Department of Agriculture.

The applicants are:

Bill Patterson of Mars, former chief county clerk and court administrator;

Judy Snyder of Clinton Township, Kennedy’s administrative assistant;

Developer Robert Heaton of Butler Township;

Retired state police officer Pete Vogel of Cranberry Township;

And Rick Elias of Center Township, former chief juvenile probation officer.

President Judge Thomas Doerr will appoint Kennedy’s successor after reviewing the applicants’ letters and discussing their qualifications with other elected officials and the Butler County Republican Committee.

There is no deadline for a selection to be made.

Kennedy’s term ends at the end of the year.