Paducah City Commission Meeting - October 2, 2026

The Paducah City Commission met on October 2, 2026, to address routine approvals, hear public comments on annexation policy, and discuss several significant items including a parks camera project, adoption of the annual tax rate, creation of a new Department of Community Development, and the introduction of a consensual annexation. The meeting began with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, followed by public comments and a consent calendar.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of appointment of Nancy Gray to the Historical and Architectural Review Commission (term expiring October 2, 2030).
• Personnel actions: municipal order directing the city manager to institute an administered policy for opioid settlement funds; renewal of employment agreement for Police Officer Travis Counts; execution of a grant application for a fiscal year 2026 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant ($12,045) for the police department; authorization to release a request for proposals for Transient Boat Dock Repairs; declaring property at 1417 Burnett Street surplus and accepting a bid of $1 from Jeremy Sorina of Kentucky Modern Housing Development LLC; approval of renewal of employment agreement with City Manager Darren Jordan.
• All items were approved unanimously on roll call votes (5-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Marshall Davis spoke against the city's annexation policy. He argued that annexation reallocates wealth rather than creating it, and that existing city taxpayers subsidize new developments through incentives such as a five-year property tax rebate, free sanitation up to $10,000, and $1,000 closing cost lump sums. He also stated that the 2002 policy routed all new property tax revenue back to developers for infrastructure for six years. Davis asserted that this erodes the county's independent tax base.

Discussion Items

• Lease Agreement with Siemens Church Institute: The city manager recommended referring the lease back to staff for continued negotiations, noting recent positive conversations with Reverend Nessel Hunt. The commission voted unanimously to refer the matter.
• Parks Camera Project: The commission approved a bid of $95,320.22 from Inspired Technologies for the first phase of a parks camera project. Eric (parks director) explained that 21 cameras will be installed at Noble Park, Rotary Health Park, and Robert Coleman Park. The cameras have four lenses providing 360-degree views and are on a closed-circuit system stored at the city data center and 911 operations center. Future phases were outlined for next fiscal year.
• Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant for Spray Ground: The commission approved applying for a $1 million grant for construction of a new spray ground at Coleman Park. The total project is estimated at $2.4 million, with a city match of $1 million. The design includes flexibility to reduce costs without impacting quality. The original splash pad was installed approximately 20 years ago for $375,000.
• Tax Rate Ordinance: The commission adopted the compensating tax rate of $0.253 per $100 valuation for real property, a decrease from $0.271. Finance Director Audra noted that approximately 70% of city property owners will see a decrease. Discussion included the Paducah Independent Schools' tax rate subject to voter recall, which will require separate billing. The city will issue multiple bills and plans a press release and informational letter.
• Ordinance Creating Department of Community Development: The ordinance was adopted. Carol (community development director) provided an update on the transition, including the move of planning staff to fire prevention area, promotions of Josh Fowler and Les View Gate to assistant directors, and the upcoming Southside Fall Festival at Coleman Park on October 3 from 11 AM to 3 PM.
• Introduction of Annexation Ordinance: An ordinance was introduced for the consensual annexation of 1.62 acres at 6675 Plainville Road. Josh Fowler explained the property owner intends to build a garage and eventually a house; the total annexed area including right-of-way is 2.587 acres. The city will collect property tax; county taxes remain.
• Household Bulk Item Collection Program: Chris (public works) presented the second bulk item collection event. The March event resulted in 375 man hours, 274 equipment hours, 900 stops, and 61.6 tons collected. The upcoming event runs from the last week of October through November 20, with pickup by zones based on trash day. Prohibited items include tires, construction material, hazardous waste, freon appliances (unless tagged), electronics, and flammable materials. Commissioners discussed using the My Paducah app for reminders.

Key Outcomes

• All consent calendar items were approved unanimously (5-0).
• The Siemens Church Institute lease was referred back to staff for continued negotiations.
• The Parks Camera project bid was approved unanimously.
• The Land and Water Conservation Fund grant application was approved unanimously.
• The tax rate ordinance was adopted unanimously.
• The ordinance creating the Department of Community Development was adopted unanimously.
• The annexation ordinance was introduced (first reading) and will be considered for adoption at a future meeting.
• The household bulk item collection program was announced; no vote required.
• The commission moved into executive session for discussion of proposed litigation, with no action expected afterward.