City Officials Training Center Certificate
Mayor George Bray presented Mayor Pro Tem Sandra Wilson with the Level II: Excellence in City Governance certificate through the Kentucky League of Cities (KLC) recognizing Wilson's completion of 60 hours of approved courses. KLC coordinates a City Officials Training Center, a voluntary continuing-education program.
Setting Property Tax Levy – A Reduction in the City’s Rate - Some Property Owners will Receive Two Bills
The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance setting the City’s real estate and personal property tax rates for fiscal year 2027. This ordinance also sets the rate for the Paducah Junior College, which will remain the same as last year at $0.014 per $100 of assessed value (AV).
Regarding the City’s real estate tax levy, the rate is $0.253 per $100 AV, which is lower than the current rate of $0.271 per $100 AV. It’s also the lowest rate since 2013. This rate is the compensating rate, which is the rate that will keep the City’s revenue at approximately the same amount as the previous year.
Finance Director Audra Kyle explained that increased property assessments led to the decrease in the tax rate. Kyle added that the McCracken County PVA assesses properties with 4260 properties seeing a change in assessment over the past year resulting in an increase of $172 million in property values. With this new tax rate, approximately 70 percent of city property owners will see a decrease in their City property tax.
Kyle explained that for a home valued at $200,000 that has not been reassessed in the past year, the City’s portion of the property tax bill will be $506. For the previous year, the City’s portion of the bill was $542.
City Manager Daron Jordan said this year, residents who live in the Paducah School District will receive two property tax bills because the school district has not finalized its real estate tax rate. The first bill will include taxes for the City of Paducah, Paducah Junior College, and the E911 fee. Kentucky law (KRS 132.017) requires the City to proceed with billing for taxing districts that have established their rates, even when another taxing district has not finalized its rate by September 15.
The second bill will include only the Paducah School District’s property taxes. The City of Paducah does not set the school district’s tax rate; it serves as the school district’s collecting agent. The Paducah School District expects to finalize its tax rate at the end of this month. The City’s goal is to configure and process the software for a second billing and mail the second bills for the school district as soon as possible once the final rate is set.
Amending Paducah Code of Ordinances for the Creation of the Department of Community Development
The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance amending several chapters of the Paducah Code of Ordinances to create the Department of Community Development and its two divisions: Planning and Building. The ordinance also updates references throughout the Code by amending Chapters 2, 18, 34, 42, 46, 54, 82, 102, 106, and 126.
Mayor George Bray announced at a previous meeting that this departmental reorganization creates a new, comprehensive department, the Department of Community Development, focused on development-related functions. The new department combines the current Planning Department with permitting, code enforcement, rental occupancy, and building and electrical inspection services, which are currently provided through the Fire Prevention Division. The change will bring most development-related services together in one department led by Carol Gault as Director of Community Development, located on the first floor of City Hall, making it easier for residents and businesses to access these services.
Household Bulk Item Collection Program Discussion
Public Works Director Chris Yarber announced that after the success of the Household Bulk Item Collection Program held in March, the City plans to hold another collection period that will start later this month. Eligible residential households may place up to three qualifying large items at the curb at no additional cost, with no registration or scheduling required.
Yarber explained that the program returns this fall following strong resident support during the March pilot program which involved a total of 900 collection stops, 61.6 tons of materials collected, 375 personnel hours, and 274 equipment hours.
Collection this fall will take place according to residents’ regular garbage collection days: Tuesday routes during the week of October 26, Wednesday routes the week of November 2, Thursday routes the week of November 9, and Friday routes the week of November 16. Items should be placed at the curb by Sunday evening before the assigned collection week. Qualifying items include furniture, mattresses, couches, and certain large appliances. Refrigerators and air-conditioning units must have a visible coolant-free certification tag.
Please remember that the limit is three items per household; however, items such as a mattress and box springs count as one. Items must be placed at the curb or roadside—not in alleys, on sidewalks, or behind fences. Prohibited materials and piles exceeding the three-item limit will not be collected.
For more details and the collection calendar, visit Bulk Items.
Application for a 2026 National Park Service Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant
The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved a municipal order authorizing the application for the 2026 National Park Service Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant. The City is requesting $1,000,000 which, if awarded, would help fund the replacement of the Robert Coleman Park sprayground. The project is estimated to cost $2.4 million. The City of Paducah expects to learn about the grant status in the fall of 2027. The current sprayground was installed in 2005.
Boards and Commissions
- Reappointment of Lisa Humphrey to the Board of Adjustment.
- Reappointment of Jody Stivers to the Paducah-McCracken County Riverport Authority.
- Reappointment of Brian Wyatt to the Urban Renewal and Community Development Agency (URCDA).
- Appointment of Nancy Gray to the Historical and Architectural Review Commission (HARC).
Additional Meeting Information
- Municipal Order approved adopting the opioid settlement and recovery funds policy.
- Municipal Order approved renewing the employment agreement with Paducah Police Officer Travis Counts.
- Municipal Order approved authorizing the FY2026 Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant requesting $12,045 which would be used for the purchase of a drone.
- Municipal Order approved authorizing the release of a request for proposals for renovations to the transient boat dock which would include new decking, frame repairs, and bumpers.
- Municipal Order approved for the declaration and sale of surplus property located at 1417 Burnett Street.
- Municipal Order approved to extend the employment contract with City Manager Daron Jordan through December 31, 2027.
- Motion approved to table the action for a new agreement with Seaman’s Church Institute to lease the city-owned property at 129 Water Street. This action allows for continued negotiations in developing an updated lease agreement.
- Municipal Order approved for a contract with Inspired Technologies for the parks camera project which will increase the camera network at Noble Park, Brockenborough Rotary Health Park, and Robert Coleman Park.
- Ordinance approved for a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Paducah and Chapman Property Development, LLC. This is a residential infill agreement to reimburse costs for eligible infrastructure related to the construction of Melody Lane, a new street that will provide access to a new apartment complex under construction off Nolan Drive. The development is for eight apartment buildings with four units in each building.
- Ordinance introduced for the consensual annexation of 6675 Blandville Road.
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