Note: Mayor Pro Tem Sandra Wilson was unable to attend this meeting.
Budget Discussion – Personnel
As the Fiscal Year 2026 budget is being developed for implementation on July 1, budget topics are being discussed at various Commission Meetings. At the previous meeting, the Board discussed the Investment Fund. At this meeting, Finance Director Jonathan Perkins provided an overview of the budget required to maintain 288 full-time city personnel funded through the General Fund.
When reviewing the General Fund budget, the main operating fund for City services, approximately 66 percent of the projected fiscal year 2026 budget is for personnel. That amount includes salaries, benefits, health insurance, retirement costs, and overtime pay. The top two departments for personnel costs are the police and fire departments which together total 63 percent of the personnel budget.
In reviewing personnel costs over the past few years from the General Fund, the cost for fiscal year 2022 was $27.3 million. The projected personnel budget for fiscal year 2026 is approximately $34 million. The size of the workforce has remained fairly consistent with 283 full-time employees funded from the General Fund in fiscal year 2022 and 288 full-time employees for the current fiscal year. Personnel costs are averaging a 5 percent increase each fiscal year.
Southside Neighborhood Revitalization Housing Plan Presentation
Director of Planning Carol Gault and Planner I Palmer Stroup provided a preview of the Southside Neighborhood Revitalization Housing Plan which has been under development for the past few months. Revitalizing the Southside is a priority of the Paducah Board of Commissioners. This plan is an extension and expansion of the work that has been done since 2022 to revitalize the Southside. At that time, the Southside Steering Committee was created, and then in 2023, the Southside Incentive program was developed which offered home beautification microgrants and new construction and major rehabilitation grants.
The original programming area for the incentive program was 454 parcels in the Walter Jetton and Uppertown neighborhoods. Since 2023, one new home has been completed, three new homes are committed to be built, and six homes are under contract (four new construction and two major rehabs).
This newly developed Housing Plan outlines strategies and tools to stabilize and grow the housing conditions in the Southside. Due to the size of the Southside with its 3678 parcels, there will be phases of revitalization. The Phase I Program Area includes and expands the existing incentive area in the Walter Jetton and Uppertown Neighborhoods. It contains 1061 parcels which includes 405 vacant properties. It has 83 square city blocks which extend from Kentucky Avenue to Caldwell Street and from the train tracks to South 3rd Street.
The second Phase of the Housing plan will be adjacent to and south of Phase I. It contains 841 parcels which includes 253 vacant properties.
Program success will be measured by a reduction in the vacant surplus property, increased density of new homes and new businesses, and an interest in the Southside outside of the programming area.
To facilitate the revitalization of the Southside, incentives will continue to be offered and expanded with new construction and major rehabilitation incentives, homes repair microgrants, developer incentives, and home buyer incentives. The City is proud that Community Financial Services Bank (CFSB) is partnering in this program.
The next steps for the Southside Neighborhood Revitalization Housing Plan include requirements by the State (KRS 99.37) to formally adopt the plan. The next step will be a presentation at the April 14 Planning Commission Meeting and then a public hearing at a May meeting of the Planning Commission. The City Commission will take up an ordinance to adopt the plan in May.
Over the next three months, the community can expect to see various engagement and education efforts to partner with developers and to communicate with the neighborhoods.
Addendum to Development Agreement with C.I.R.C.O. Construction for 324 Broadway
The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved an addendum to the development agreement with C.I.R.C.O. Construction for the city-owned property at 324 Broadway. The City purchased the property in 2018 which contained a deteriorated building, the Kresge Building. In 2019, the City secured a contractor to raze the structure which had been deemed a hazard.
The city approved the development agreement with C.I.R.C.O. in June 2024 with C.I.R.C.O. purchasing the vacant lot from the City of Paducah for $10,000 with plans to revitalize the space into a multi-use green space to include outdoor seating, a playground, dog area, a bar structure, music area with amphitheater seating, vendor space, and landscaping.
The developer has met the conditions of the agreement for the transfer of the property. In this addendum, the property will be subdivided to implement the design plans and to satisfy Kentucky Building Code requirements. The developer has obtained the necessary permits from the Fire Prevention Division. The work will begin in May with a projected completion within 15 months.
Additional Meeting Information
- Mayor Bray presented a proclamation to 911 Manager Ariana Kitty and several members of the Paducah-McCracken 911 Service proclaiming April 13 through 19 as National Public Telecommunicators Week. This proclamation is to honor the emergency communications professionals for their service they provide as the vital link between the public and emergency responders.
- Appointment of Tab Brockman to the Brooks Stadium Commission.
- Municipal Order approved for the declaration and sale of surplus property located at 729 South 13th Street. Teddy Bear Development has submitted a request to purchase the vacant property and construct a 3-bedroom, 2-bath home.
- Municipal Order approved to apply for the Kentucky League of Cities 2025 Workers Compensation Safety Grant. The grant request of $3000 would be used to purchase personal protective equipment for the Fire Department.
- Ordinance approved amending Chapter 42 of the Paducah Code of Ordinances. Changes include amendments to Code Enforcement Board powers and hearings, residential rental occupancy permits, lienholder notification system, enforcement procedures, nuisances, and more.
- Ordinance introduced to amend the Fiscal Year 2025 budget to increase revenues and expenditures for the Community Development Block Grant Fund by $200,000.
- Barkley Regional Airport is asking for your feedback on a survey regarding commercial air service. Please take the survey by April 25.
- The next meeting of the City Commission will be a called meeting on Monday, April 21. The regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, April 22 will be cancelled.
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