City Commission Meeting Highlights - November 14, 2023

Due to renovations in the City Commission Chambers at City Hall, the meeting was held at West Kentucky Community and Technical College, Crounse Hall, Room 101 (4810 Alben Barkley Drive). All of the November and December City Commission meetings will be held at WKCTC due to the renovation project.  The City of Paducah appreciates WKCTC’s generosity in hosting the meetings.

To view the entire meeting, visit https://youtu.be/pGFzBRncs7o.

Note: Commissioner Raynarldo Henderson was unable to attend this meeting.

Finance Director Jonathan Perkins provided an overview of Fiscal Year 2023 which ended June 30, 2023. Perkins focused on the City’s main operating fund, the General Fund, and its primary sources of revenue. As a comparison, Perkins looked at the last three fiscal years to review revenue growth and expenditures. Below are a few of the highlights:

• For FY2023, revenue for the General Fund totaled nearly $50 million which was 18 percent higher than in FY2022 due to COVID (ARPA) funding. The COVID funding is counted in the fiscal year in which it was spent. Revenue did not change significantly between FY2022 and FY2021.
• Payroll tax is the largest revenue source for the City of Paducah which generated more than $19 million in FY2023, a nearly 8 percent increase over FY2022. Mayor George Bray said, “Everything we do for economic development and job growth drives the growth of the City.”
• Paducah’s two hospitals, Walmart, and the Paducah School System are the top four employers with the highest number of employees. Those four employers together have an employee base of nearly 4500.
• Insurance Premium Tax is the second highest revenue source for Paducah with $6.3 million received in FY2023.
• Property tax is a stable revenue source for the City of Paducah generating more than $5.8 million in FY2023.
• Business licenses generated more than $5.37 million in FY2023.
• In reviewing the four main revenue sources (payroll tax, insurance premium tax, property tax, and business licenses), revenue growth was 7.2 percent in FY2023 over FY2022. Growth from FY2021 to FY2022 was 6.8 percent.
• Regarding expenditures, the three largest city departments are Police ($12.637 million in FY2023), Fire ($10.439 in FY2023), and Public Works ($4.206 million in FY2023).

Robert Cherry Civic Center Fee Schedule Amendment

The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved a municipal order amending the fee schedule for the Robert Cherry Civic Center. The fees had not been updated in a decade. As part of the renovation project currently underway, Parks & Recreation Department Director Amie Clark reviewed nine similar-sized facilities to gather information on policies, capacity, reservation fees, and deposits to make sure that the Cherry Civic Center is comparable. The Board approved the following fee updates:

• For weekday reservations (Monday through Thursday), the fee will be $750 per day for a full day rental with half day rentals (up to 5 hours) at $500 per day.
• For weekend reservations (Friday through Sunday), the fee will be $1200 per day.
• Holiday rentals are $1500 per day.
• The refundable damage deposit is $500.
• Reservations are $500 for each additional reservation day.
• A 50 percent deposit is due at the time of reservation.
• Non-profit organizations within the Paducah city limits are eligible for a 20% discount on reservation fees.
• Individuals are eligible for a 20% discount on reservation fees and must qualify based on criteria including residency requirements.

Clark added that the Parks and Recreation Department will begin providing staff support for the Civic Center’s events.

Regarding the renovations, Clark said the contractor will not be finished by the end of December. The delay may be a few weeks with the renovation project expected to be completed in early 2024. The parking lot will be repaved in the spring.

 

Boards and Commissions

• Appointment of Ian McVicker to the Paducah-McCracken County Riverport Authority.
• Appointment of Michael Campbell to the Historical and Architectural Review Commission (HARC)

 

Grant Information

The following municipal orders were approved related to grants:

• Approval of the application for a Creating Vibrant Communities Grant through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. If awarded, this grant would provide technical assistance as the City works on enhancing the Southside.
• Approval of the application for the Kentucky Equitable Entrepreneurial Ecosystems in Rural Communities Grant through Main Street America. If awarded, the grant funds and technical assistance would be used by Paducah Main Street to assist downtown merchants.

 

Additional Meeting Information

• Municipal Order approved for a contract amendment with Midstates Construction for the Robert Cherry Civic Center renovation project. This amendment is due the replacement of exhaust fans in the restrooms and additional door hardware.
• Municipal Order approved for the lease agreement addendum with Heritage Operating, LLC which acquired the Cremation Society of Paducah.
• Municipal Order approved authorizing a contract amendment with Chambers Roofing Company for the Market House Roof replacement project.
• Municipal Order approved for a contract for uniform services with Galls, Inc. for the Paducah Fire Department.
• Municipal Order approved for the annual agreement between the City of Paducah and Kentucky Main Street which establishes the specific requirements for Paducah Main Street to maintain its full accreditation. This commitment is for January 15, 2024, through January 30, 2025. This year, Paducah’s Main Street district has seen $4.5 million in private investment and the addition of 13 new businesses. The Cocktail Trail received a State award.
• Ordinance introduced for the annexation of four parcels owned by the City of Paducah but currently not within the Paducah city limits. The parcels are located at 3110 and 3112 New Holt Road and 5065 and 5075 Concord Avenue. These parcels were purchased several years ago to facilitate the extension of New Holt Road adjacent to the mall.
• Ordinance introduced authorizing the closure of a section of Vermont Street as requested by adjacent property owners.
• Ordinance introduced for a contract amendment and finalization with Central Paving Company for the South 25th Street Improvement Project.
• Ordinance introduced for a contract amendment with Jim Smith Contracting for the Floodwall Flap Gate Replacement Project approved in 2021. This amendment adds the replacement of eight sluice gates to the project.
• Ordinance introduced for a residential infill agreement between the City of Paducah and EMD Properties, LLC for LaBarri Subdivision. The City signed in 2019 the final plat of subdivision for the project off New Holt Road. This eight-year agreement reimburses the developer for ad valorem taxes up to nearly $198,000 for the cost of the installation of the public infrastructure.
• City Manager Daron Jordan reminded everyone about the Tree Lighting Ceremony that is scheduled for next Tuesday, November 21, at 5:30 p.m. at the 26-foot Christmas tree located on Water Street.
• City Hall and other city offices will be closed for Thanksgiving and the day after Thanksgiving.

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