Commissioner Dujuan Thomas was unable to attend this meeting.
FY2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report Presentation
David Hampton of Kemper CPA Group, LLP presented an overview of the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report which includes the required City audit. While the audit is mandated by state law, the Report itself is prepared voluntarily to provide additional information and transparency to the public. The report covers the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, and confirms that there were no deficiencies related to the financial statements. Additional information about the City’s finances is available through the Open Finance Portal and in the following documents:
For 34 consecutive years, Paducah has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada.
Paducah Main Street Update Presentation
Paducah Main Street President and Board Chair David Wilkins, Executive Director Blaine McDonald, and Assistant Director Carly Dick presented a six-month progress update on Paducah Main Street’s activities following last year’s transition from a division of the Paducah Planning Department to a separate entity with an office on Broadway.
Over the past six months, the organization has focused on downtown development, marketing and social media, and the growth of downtown events. During this period, 26 development projects have been completed or are currently in progress.
For 2025–2026, Paducah Main Street set goals of attracting 10 new businesses, creating 10 new apartments or condominiums, hosting 25 events, generating 2,500 volunteer hours, and raising $50,000 in funds. To date, the organization has met or exceeded several of these goals, with 10 new businesses, five new apartments or condominiums, 22 events, more than $50,000 raised, and 1,400 volunteer hours recorded.
In 2026, Paducah Main Street is focusing on business recruitment, Fridays After Five music festivals from June 5 through August 7, state and national accreditation, board and staff training, ongoing committee meetings, weekly promotions and communications, and planning for fall and winter activities.
Paducah’s downtown includes 189 buildings within the Main Street area, housing 127 operating businesses, plus 22 restaurants or bars. The district is also home to 13 museums, galleries, and theatres. Currently, 21 vacant buildings are not for sale, while three vacant buildings are listed for sale, resulting in an overall building occupancy rate of 87 percent.
BUILD Grant (Paducah Riverfront Infrastructure Project) Update
City Engineer Greg Guebert providing an update on the Paducah Riverfront Infrastructure Improvement Project also known as the BUILD Grant project. Crews began mobilizing in November 2024 with completion expected late this summer. The project includes a riverboat excursion pier, transportation enhancements, and improvements to the river side of the floodwall between the Paducah-McCracken County Convention & Expo Center and Broadway.
Guebert shared images showing progress on the new riverboat pier. Over the past several months, crews have installed support pilings and are now placing the pier’s decking, which consists of large pre-cast concrete panels. Work also is underway in the park area between the transient dock and the floodwall. Features for this area include terrace seating, concrete pavers, green space, and a decorative compass rose through the Harrison Street floodwall opening.
The Board also discussed the two concrete foundations located along the riverfront. These structures are remnants of a former conveyor system to offload materials from barges. The board viewed several concept drawings including renderings showing the riverfront if the foundations were removed. Mayor Bray asked for a cost estimate to remove the structures.
Background - In 2019, the City received notification that it would be receiving a $10.4 million Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant administered through the Maritime Administration (MARAD) to improve the riverfront. In June 2024, the City accepted a $3.5 million appropriation for the project outlined in House Bill 1 as approved during Kentucky’s legislative session. The City has an approximately $20.6 million construction contract with Jim Smith Contracting.
Capital Improvement Plan for FY2027-2031
Finance Director Audra Kyle presented the FY2027-2031 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The CIP is a long-range planning tool that outlines the City’s major capital projects, infrastructure investments, and equipment replacements over the next five years, including estimated costs and potential funding sources. While it does not authorize budget appropriations or project spending—each project requires separate approval through the formal budget process—the CIP provides a structured and transparent framework for prioritizing projects, managing growth, improving budget predictability, reducing emergency costs, enhancing bond ratings, and guiding funding strategies.
The FY2027-2031 plan, developed through departmental submissions, review, and funding assignment, includes 38 projects totaling $104.2 million, excluding enterprise fund projects, general paving, and vehicle replacements. Funding sources include the General Fund, Investment Fund, federal and state grants, existing project transfers, bond issues, and other revenue.
Projects in the CIP include the Greenway Trail Phase VII project extending to the Southside and the Branch stormwater project. The CIP also identifies the need for several new city facilities including a parks maintenance building, a new police headquarters, and the replacement of Fire Station #4.
The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved a Municipal Order adopting this Capital Improvement Plan, which will be used during the upcoming FY2027 budget process. Projects will be evaluated against available resources and amended as needed. Development of the FY2028-2032 CIP begins this September.
Boards and Commissions
- Appointment of LaToya Burton Richardson to the Paducah Human Rights Commission.
- Reappointment of Mark Workman to the Electric Plant Board.
- Reappointment of Marcus Turnley to the Board of Ethics.
- Ordinance approved amending Chapter 70 of the Code of Ordinances regarding the composition of the Brooks Stadium Commission. The amendment authorizes the Board of Commissioners to appoint one or more ex officio, non-voting members to serve in an advisory capacity. The ordinance also appoints Eddie Jones to the Brooks Stadium Commission to replace Dr. Frank “Doc” Hideg and designates Dr. Hideg as an ex officio member.
Additional Meeting Information
- Fire Chief Steve Kyle introduced two new employees: Deputy Building Inspector Scott Herrin and Code Enforcement Officer Chris Lykins.
- Municipal Order approved authorizing a reimbursement to McCracken County PVA for aerial imagery.
- Municipal Order approved authorizing the Public Works Department to release a request for bids for the City Hall Administration Department Renovation.
- Municipal Order approved to apply for the Kentucky Fire Commission Personal Protective Equipment Grant for the Fire Department in the amount of $7000.
- Municipal Order approved for the transfer and sale of the city-owned property at 3110 New Holt Road.
- Municipal Order approved to renew the employment agreement with City Manager Daron Jordan, extended the current agreement by one additional year.
- Municipal Order approved to apply for a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Community-Wide Brownfield Assessment Grant in the amount of $500,000.
- Municipal Order approved authorizing the release of a request for proposals for the FY2026 cybersecurity assessment.
- Municipal Order approved authorizing the transfer of five surplus police vehicles to the Paducah School System.
- Municipal Order approved authorizing an equipment loan payoff for the Paducah-McCracken County Riverport Authority.
- Municipal Order approved authorizing a matching grant in the amount of $25,000 for the Duke and Duchess Foundation of Paducah. The Foundation has raised approximately $25,000 in private donations. Mayor Bray recused himself from the vote since he serves as the Chairman of the Foundation.
- Ordinance introduced authorizing a street name change from Downs Drive to Steve Doolittle Drive. The only address that will be affected is the Paducah Sports Park. This name change is to honor Steve Doolittle for his more than 35 years of public service to the City and County. Doolittle passed away unexpectedly last year.
- Ordinance introduced accepting the plat approval and surety agreement for Melody Lane Street. This is a new street that will provide access to a new apartment complex under construction off Nolan Drive.
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