Paducah Government Structure

Paducah operates under a Council-City Manager form of government.  The Paducah Board of Commissioners is made up of the Mayor and four Commissioners elected at large by the citizens on a non-partisan basis.  The Mayor is elected for a four-year term and Commissioners for a two-year term.  The Mayor and Commissioners have equal voting powers.

The Paducah Board of Commissioners sets the policies that govern the City.  It appoints advisory citizen groups that help in the decision-making process.  The City Manager is appointed by the Board and assists it in formulating objectives, policies, and programs.  The City Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the City's approximately 340 employees.  Department directors are responsible for their respective departments and report directly to the City Manager.  For more information about Paducah's City Manager, Jim Zumwalt, click here.

Board of Commissioners

• Mayor Bill Paxton
• Commissioner Robert Coleman
• Commissioner Gayle Kaler
• Commissioner Buz Smith
• Commissioner Gerald Watkins
• The Paducah Board of Commissioners meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of City Hall at 300 South 5th Street.  The Board holds Workshop meetings on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month in the same location.  The general public is invited to attend.
• Commission Meeting and Workshop Agendas
• Commission Meeting and Workshop Minutes
• Commission Meeting and Workshop Highlights (summary prepared by the Public Information Officer)
• Boards and Commission List - citizens appointed by Mayor and Commission to serve on boards and commissions
• Strategic Plan for City of Paducah, March 2008 - 30 page Executive Summary of the Guiding Principles, Goals and Objectives, Vision, Plan, Mission, and Beliefs for the City of Paducah as approved by the City Commission

City Documents