Paducah City Commission Meeting - April 14, 2026

The meeting, called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Mayor Pro Tem Sandra Wilson, included proclamations, new employee introductions, swearing-in of police officers, public comments, a BUILD grant update, a household bulk item collection pilot report, and a budget presentation for fiscal year 2027. The meeting lasted approximately one hour.

Proclamations

• Arbor Day was proclaimed for April 24, 2026. Jonathan Perkins, Chair of the Tree Advisory Board, accepted the proclamation.

New Employee Introductions

• Destiny Dalton was introduced as the new Administrative Assistant for Paducah Parks and Recreation, starting March 19, 2026. She previously worked for Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation.
• Cole Rowe was introduced as the new Maintenance Supervisor for Parks and Recreation, coming from the National Park Service.

Police Officer Swearing-In

• Judge Kitchen administered the oath of office to three new Paducah Police officers: Jason Montgomery (retired officer returning to work as City Hall security), Craig Campbell (former Marine Corps and McCracken County Jail deputy), and Davin Perkins (Kentucky National Guard member). Montgomery is expected to be in place by early to mid-May; Campbell and Perkins will attend the police academy.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Parker Jaco provided an update on the Paducah Action medical debt elimination campaign. To date, $15,493.90 has been raised, which will alleviate over $3 million in medical debt through the nonprofit Undue Medical Debt. Every dollar donated is expected to eliminate about $200 of medical debt. The campaign has two weeks remaining.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was passed without separate discussion. Items included approval of March 24, 2026 meeting minutes; reappointment of John Sperlin to the Code Enforcement Board (term expiring April 25, 2029); a fleet maintenance service agreement with the City of Marion; an amendment to the Tyler Technologies agreement for a law enforcement mobile site license ($45,012); a grant application for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant ($11,649 for thermal monoculars); and a KLC safety grant application ($2,500 for personal protective equipment). All items were approved on a single roll-call vote (all ayes).

Discussion Items

BUILD Grant Update

• Greg Good and Melanie presented photo updates of the riverfront redevelopment. Key features shown: the extension of the Greenway Trail at the convention center parking lot, a grand staircase to the pier with removable handrails for boat docking, the "Port of Paducah" letters, the compass rose area with brickwork and pavers, and the chain monument park area. The Christmas tree opening at Water Street will include electric service. The staircase is designed to be accessible via a wrapping walkway. Target completion: the compass rose area ("Commons") by July 2026, and the excursion pier and plaza by September 2026, with a grand opening event planned for September. River levels may affect the schedule.

Household Bulk Item Collection Pilot Program

• Chris Yarber reported on the pilot. The program collected items from 900 stops (about 10% of household accounts), totaling 61.65 tons. The city used 375 man hours and 274 equipment hours. A few televisions were collected and disposed of properly despite initial prohibitions. The program cost the city $69 per ton for disposal but eliminated 414 paid-call stops during the pilot period. A community survey of participants will be launched, and a recommendation on continuing the program (potentially twice a year, spring and fall) will be brought back for commission consideration.

Budget Discussion

• Audrey presented the general fund expenditure overview for fiscal year 2027. Personnel costs account for 68% of the general fund (~$35 million), with public safety comprising 63% of personnel costs. Projected personnel increases for FY27 total $2.2 million due to new union contracts and health insurance adjustments. Other pressures include fuel (nearly 70,000 gallons used annually), insurance increases of 17%, rising software maintenance agreements, and increased legal service demand. Transfers to capital funds and debt service are recurring commitments. The next meeting will cover general fund revenues.

City Manager Comments

• City Clerk noted that the Kentucky Municipal Clerks Association is holding its 50th anniversary spring conference in Paducah this week, with about 115 clerks attending from across the state. Sessions will include presentations by city finance and planning staff.

Commissioner Comments

• Commissioner Thomas reminded of the ongoing Dogwood Trail activities, the upcoming Quilt Show (next week), and a flower show hosted by the Paducah Garden Club titled "Among the Dogwoods" in the City Hall atrium. The flower show is open to the public free of charge: Wednesday, April 15 from 2–4 p.m. and Thursday, April 16 from 8 a.m.–noon.

Key Outcomes

• The consent agenda was approved unanimously.
• The Arbor Day proclamation was adopted.
• The BUILD grant update was presented; the project remains on schedule for September completion.
• The bulk item collection pilot was deemed a success; a survey and future recommendation will be brought to the commission.
• Budget discussions will continue with a revenue update at the next meeting.