Note: Mayor George Bray was unable to attend this meeting.
Remote Worker Incentive Program Revisions
The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance to revise the existing Remote Worker Incentive Program. The City created the Remote Worker Incentive Program in 2021 leading to the relocation of 26 people to Paducah to date. This ordinance revision expands the pool of eligible applicants to include self-employed remote workers which have been making up 19 percent of the applications but were not eligible. The amendment also changes the incentive process from a reimbursement program for moving expenses and for the waiver of the first year of payroll taxes to a cash incentive program. The new incentive is $5000 paid in two $2500 installments. The first payment would be when the remote worker establishes residency in Paducah with the second installment paid at the one-year anniversary of their relocation.
Health Insurance Plan Update
Benefits Advisor DJ Story with HUB International provided an overview of the City of Paducah’s 2026 health insurance plan through Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield as the City’s third-party administrator. The City of Paducah has a self-insured health insurance plan which means premiums paid into the plan by the employees are used to pay the claims.
Story explained that several factors are contributing to rising health insurance costs nationwide including labor shortages at medical facilities, price inflation, high-cost medications, and rising chronic and mental health claims. For the first time in approximately 13 years, those who participate in the City’s health plan will see an increase to their health insurance premiums for 2026. However, vision and dental premiums are not changing. As an example, individual employees on the investor plan who do not participate in the wellness program will see a $5.25 increase per pay period in their health insurance costs. For those on the investor plan’s family insurance without wellness program participation, the increase will be $39.00 per pay period.
To comply with Internal Revenue Service (IRS) minimums, there is a change in the deductible for individuals on the investor plan. The increase is from $3300 to $3400.
Actions taken by the Paducah Board of Commissioners regarding benefits, wellness, and health insurance are as follows:
- Municipal order approved for the 2026 health insurance, vision, and dental premiums.
- Municipal order approved for a contract with HUB for strategic health risk advisor and benefit placement services for the City’s health insurance.
- Municipal order approved authorizing an agreement between the City of Paducah and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield to provide administrative services for 2026 related to the City’s health insurance plan.
- Municipal order approved for an agreement with Voya Financial Advisors, Inc. to provide stop loss insurance which is used when a plan participant’s claims exceed a set value or when the City’s total claims exceed a set maximum.
- Municipal order approved setting the policy for the funds provided by the City to eligible employees for 2026 in the health and wellness plans (also called spending credits).
Additional Meeting Information
- Mayor Pro Tem Sandra Wilson on behalf of Mayor George Bray presented a proclamation to Executive Director Traci Phelps and David Boggs with the McCracken County Humane Society proclaiming November 2 through 8 as National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week.
- Municipal Order approved for the acquisition of a permanent right-of-way access easement at 2510 North 8th Street for Floodwall Pump Station #14
- Municipal Order authorizing the renewal application for local expanded jurisdiction between the City and Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings, and Construction for additional plan review and inspection responsibilities.
- Municipal Order approved authorizing a request for bids for HVAC equipment and duct cleaning for City Hall.
- Ordinance approved amending Code of Ordinances section 20-23 related to body piercing to mirror state law which permits someone who has completed bloodborne pathogen training and is registered with the local health department to perform body piercings.
- Ordinance approved amending the City of Paducah budget since the City accepted the Community Development Block Grant funds for entitlement communities.
- City Manager Daron Jordan updated the Board regarding the recent demolition of the highly deteriorated building at North 3rd and Jefferson. Jordan said the lot will be cleared soon. The property is privately owned, and the private owner was responsible for the demolition. Jordan added that there is interest from private investors in purchasing the lot for redevelopment. The property owner worked with the State on the demolition process.
- Due to scheduling conflicts, the regularly scheduled meeting for October 28 is cancelled. There will be a called meeting on Tuesday, November 4.
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