Paducah City Commission Meeting - September 2, 2025: Property Tax Hearing, New App Launch, and Routine Business
Paducah City Commission Meeting - September 2, 2025
The Paducah City Commission met on September 2, 2025, at 21:59 UTC for a regular meeting that included a public hearing on the proposed property tax levy, the introduction of a new city app, and approval of routine consent items. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Bray, with all commissioners present.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes of the August 26, 2025 meeting.
- Received and filed documents; appointed Alexis Mars and Carrie Seatman to the Paducah Main Street Board (terms expiring September 2, 2026 and 2027, respectively).
- Approved personnel actions and a municipal order for a memorandum of agreement with Darren and Kelly Hack for incentives.
- Accepted bids: Reliable Electric LLC for new lighting at Dolly Maynot Plaza ($58,980); Linwood Motors for two compact SUVs ($67,780).
- Authorized grants: USTA Southern Parks and Recreation Grant ($2,000 for adaptive tennis); Kentucky Fire Commission grant ($5,700 for thermal imaging camera); Kentucky Litter Abatement Grant; and a contract with Pedic Alliance of Neighbors ($100,000).
- Approved purchase of structural firefighting gear ($46,688.20) and an agreement with The Greater Paducah Economic Development Council ($250,000).
- Accepted bid of R.L. Turner for design services for the Robert Coleman Park spray ground ($54,000).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Matthew (no address given) opposed the proposed 27.1 cent real estate tax levy, calling property taxes unfair and warning that the increase would mobilize voters. He noted that property value assessments have already risen and that the city seemed predetermined to pass the increase. He urged reconsideration.
- Parker Riley Jaco (near Noble Park, address on form) opposed the increase, arguing that higher taxes on property improvements discourage investment and encourage underutilization, such as surface parking lots. He suggested taxing underutilized properties instead and warned that nearby communities with lower rates would attract development away from Paducah.
- Shannon Crockett (Jefferson Street) opposed the increase, citing personal tax bills that have risen substantially since moving from Illinois. He questioned whether the city could cut spending and noted that the new 911 tax may have freed up general fund money. He urged the commission to consider the impact on lower-income residents.
Discussion Items
- Property Tax Levy Public Hearing: Finance officer Audra presented the proposed rate of 27.1 cents per $100 assessed value, a 0.7 cent increase from last year (26.4 cents) and within the 4% allowable above the compensating rate of 26.1 cents. This equates to about $18 per year for a $250,000 home. The personal property rate remains unchanged at 0.356 cents. Mayor Bray noted that only 23% of a property owner's total tax bill goes to the city; the majority goes to schools. Commissioner Thomas suggested reconsidering the rate given public opposition, but staff explained that a different rate would require additional special-called meetings due to statutory deadlines. Commissioner Smith noted that taking the 4% increase is seen as prudent by bond rating agencies, citing a case where Owensboro's rating was affected for not doing so.
- My Paducah App Launch: City Clerk Lindsay demonstrated the new 'My Paducah' app (powered by C Click Fix), which allows residents to report issues, track requests, and receive push notifications. The app replaces a previous less user-friendly version. Mayor Bray emphasized follow-through on submitted requests. The app is available now, and a direct QR code mailing is planned.
Key Outcomes
- The consent agenda was approved unanimously (5-0).
- The municipal order for the Greater Paducah Economic Development Council contract ($250,000) was approved unanimously (5-0).
- The municipal order for spray ground design services ($54,000) was approved unanimously (5-0).
- Ordinance amending the business license fee schedule (phased increase of gross receipts threshold to $11.65 million over five years, minimum tax $50) was adopted unanimously (5-0).
- Ordinance introducing the 2025-2026 tax levy (27.1 cents for real property, other rates as presented) was introduced on first reading, with final action scheduled for September 15, 2025. No vote was taken on the ordinance itself.
- No other discussion items or executive session occurred; the meeting adjourned.
Meeting Transcript
I'll go ahead and call this meeting to order on September 2nd, 2025 and ask the city clerk to please call roll. Commissioner Henderson. Present. Commissioner Smith. Here. Commissioner Thomas. Here. Commissioner Wilson. Present. Mayor Bray. Present. I would ask Commissioner Henderson to say the invocation if you would, and uh I'll ask everybody to remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. God of heaven, we thank you so much for this beautiful day that you've given us, and we thank you, Father always, for the blessings that we do enjoy. Father, we come to you tonight as a body, as commissioners, as mayor, and we thank you for the privilege that you've given us to serve this community. We pray, oh God, that in our deliberations and our thinking that uh we will make decisions that will indeed benefit the masses. Father, we pray for our employees, we pray for our city, and pray your covering on all of us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which stands one nation under God with liberty and justice for all. Mayor, none this evening. Okay, we'll kick off uh Audra. Uh welcome. Um, we'll let you talk about we have a property tax hearing. Yes. Uh good evening, Mayor, Commissioners, City Manager, City Clerk. The purpose of this public hearing is to give the public an opportunity to comment on the proposed 27.1 cent real estate tax levy. A hearing is required by Kentucky revised statutes if the proposed rate exceeds the compensating rate, which is twenty-six point one cents this year. Local government is permitted to adjust their rate upward by four percent above the compensating rate. We're proposing to take the four percent allowable this year. Later in tonight's meeting, the proposed property tax levy ordinance will be introduced. Staff recommends that you set the city's real estate uh real estate property tax levy at twenty-seven point one cents. The final reading for the levy ordinance is September 15th. And I'll be happy to answer any questions you all might have. Uh no questions from me. I think I understand it pretty well. Um is this the time we'd open but the hearing? So there's some people that have filled out um some sheets here, so uh I'll start with Matthew. Okay, sorry if I mispronounce it. Okay. Thank you, sir. Well, thank you for the opportunity to uh to speak here today. Um I find as as I heard about this today, I'm one of those people that doesn't come to these meetings very often. In fact, if I come, it's because it's something I'm real passionate about. So you'll not see me here very often. But uh, I think there's a lot of people like that too. In fact, as I look around, I really don't see a lot of people here. And I think this is an issue that a lot of people are going to care about. I think that when their taxes increase, they've already seen an increase in property value assessments, so they've seen an increase in tax, but when they actually see this come through, I think you're gonna find there's gonna be people like me that start coming to these meetings more often. I I would call them sleeping giants.
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