Mayor’s Remarks – Curbside Recycling Reminder
Mayor George Bray reminded the public about curbside recycling changes. Curbside recycling is now collected every other week and on the same day as your garbage collection. This is a curbside recycling week. To see a calendar showing the curbside recycling weeks for the rest of 2025 and for 2026, visit Curbside Recycling.
Property Tax Levy Public Hearing and Ordinance Introduction
The Paducah Board of Commissioners introduced an ordinance setting the City’s real estate and personal property tax rates for fiscal year 2026. A property tax levy public hearing was held prior to the ordinance introduction. Three citizens provided comments regarding the tax rate. The City’s real estate tax levy is proposed to be 27.1 cents per $100 assessed value, slightly higher than last year’s rate of 26.4 cents. Interim Finance Director Audra Kyle said this would be an increase of $18 on a home that is assessed for $250,000.
The City’s Compensating Rate, the rate that would keep the revenue at the same amount as last year, is 26.1 cents per $100 assessed value. Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) permits a city to adjust the rate upward no more than 4 percent of the compensating rate. Since the City’s proposed tax levy of 27.1 cents is higher than the compensating rate, a public hearing was required.
Please note that the City of Paducah collects the tax funds for the Paducah Independent School District and then remits the funds to the district. The City does not set the school district’s rates. The school district is setting its real estate tax levy to be 88.2 cents per $100 of assessed value. Only 23 percent of a homeowner’s entire tax bill is designated for the city government.
The second reading for the tax rate ordinance is set for the next meeting which will be a called meeting on Monday, September 15 at 5 p.m. Learn more by visiting Property Tax.
Business License Fee Schedule – Inflationary Adjustment
The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance amending Chapter 106 of the Paducah Code of Ordinances regarding taxation and the gross receipts threshold. At the previous meeting, Interim Finance Director Audra Kyle explained that the ordinance establishing a gross receipts threshold of $3.5 million was approved in 1986. Once a business reached $3.5 million in gross receipts the excess would be subject to a rate of 0.00005. This new ordinance provides an increase to the threshold over a five-year period to restore equity to the business license tax system and account for inflation. Beginning January 1, 2026, the threshold increases to $5.13 million and by year five the threshold will be $11.65 million. Beginning in year six, further adjustments will occur annually based on the consumer price index. Those who hold a business license and have gross receipts less than $3.5 million will not be affected by this ordinance change.
This ordinance also increases the minimum business license tax from $35 to $50.
MyPaducah Mobile App and Portal Preview
City Clerk and Director of Customer Experience Lindsay Parish provided a preview of the service request app that is replacing the current 311 system. This new app and online portal are called MyPaducah. Once you download the app or visit the portal, one of the first steps suggested is to click "New Request" so that you can subscribe to notices. A photo is not necessary. This is basically your first request - to be informed. It will require that you register for an account after you hit submit. For more information on the app and portal, visit MyPaducah.
The former 311 system will close in October. The public’s feedback was that the former app was not user-friendly which has led to the launch of this new app through CivicPlus called SeeClickFix.
Robert Coleman Park Sprayground
The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved a municipal order for a contract with RL Turner for design services to renovate the sprayground at Robert Coleman Park. Director of Parks and Recreation Amie Clark said this project is for the sprayground only. The restroom facility will be addressed separately. The existing sprayground is approximately 20 years old with failing piping.
Boards and Commissions
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Appointment of Alexis Marrs and Carrie Signa to the Paducah Main Street Board.
Additional Meeting Information
- Assistant Director of Recreation Taylor Morsching introduced new employee, Recreation Supervisor Jennifer Adams, to the Board.
- Municipal Order approved for a memorandum of understanding for annexation incentives for 1541 Olivet Church Road.
- Municipal Order approved for a memorandum of understanding for annexation incentives for 6615 Blandville Road.
- Municipal Order approved authorizing a contract with Reliable Electric, LLC for the installation of new lighting at Dolly McNutt Memorial Plaza. Work is expected to be completed by the end of October.
- Municipal Order approved updating the schedule of fees for Oak Grove Cemetery.
- Municipal Order approved authorizing the application for a United States Tennis Association grant in the amount of $2000.
- Municipal Order approved authorizing the purchase of structural firefighting gear.
- Municipal Order approved authorizing the Kentucky Fire Commission grant application for a thermal imaging camera.
- Municipal Order approved authorizing a contract for services with the Paducah Alliance of Neighbors with the City providing $100,000.
- Municipal Order approved for the purchase of two compact SUVs for the Parks and Recreation Department.
- Municipal Order approved authorizing the Kentucky Division of Waste Management Litter Abatement Grant application.
- Municipal Order approved authorizing a modification to the tolling agreement with Midwest Terminal.
- Municipal Order approved authorizing a contract for services with GPEDC, Inc, with the city providing $250,000.
- The next City Commission meeting will be a called meeting on Monday, September 15 at 5 p.m. at City Hall. The regularly scheduled meetings for September 9 and September 23 are cancelled due to scheduling conflicts.
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