Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Ordinance
The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Ordinance. The City’s fiscal year begins July 1. At the previous Commission Meeting, City Manager Daron Jordan provided an overview of the budget through the presentation of his budget address. The summary is below.
“This budget was developed through a collaborative process involving all city departments, with guidance from the Board of Commissioners, and with careful consideration of community needs and priorities,” said City Manager Jordan. “The result is a balanced financial plan that maintains essential services, addresses infrastructure needs, supports economic development, and enhances quality of life for all residents.”
The FY2026 budget, a balanced budget, is $137.8 million when all funding accounts and transfers are considered. Jordan explained that the fiscal priorities for FY2026 include
- Maintaining Fiscal Responsibility – We continue to uphold efficient financial practices and maintain our budget policy of ensuring that at least ten percent of our annual revenues are placed into our reserve fund.
- Infrastructure Investment – The budget prioritizes ongoing maintenance of our facilities and infrastructure while planning for future facility needs.
- Economic Development – We continue to support downtown revitalization, the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District, and initiatives to attract and retain businesses.
- Quality of Life Enhancements – Investments in parks, recreation, arts, and cultural amenities remain a priority to enhance livability for all residents.
- Public Safety – The budget maintains strong support for police and fire services to ensure community safety.
At the end of the presentation, Jordan said, “As we implement this budget, we remain committed to transparency, efficiency, and responsive service to our citizens. We will continue to monitor economic conditions, seek innovative solutions to challenges, and adjust our strategies as needed to ensure the best use of public resources.”
Riverfront Infrastructure Improvement Project (BUILD Grant) Update
Engineering Project Manager Melanie Townsend updated the Board on the construction projects included in the Riverfront Infrastructure Improvement Project (BUILD grant project). Construction on this project started in November 2024. Since then there has been significant work in the area on the river side of the floodwall near the transient dock with concrete work now beginning. The reconfiguration of the Convention Center floodwall opening at North 5th Street is underway and expected to continue until August. Later this summer there will be work on the intersections of 6th and Park Avenue; 3rd and Madison; and 2nd and Jefferson.
One of the most substantial projects included in this Riverfront Infrastructure Improvement Project is the construction of a new riverfront excursion pier. This new landing pier will greatly enhance the experience and accessibility for Paducah’s riverboat passengers. This week, demolition work by Jim Smith Contracting began on the river side of the floodwall just downstream from the Foot of Broadway in preparation for the pier’s construction. One lane of Water Street is closed between Broadway and Jefferson.
Later this month, contractor, C.J. Mahan, will mobilize to start the pier construction with materials and equipment arriving by barge. Crews will work Monday through Saturday on this phase of the project which is expected to wrap up with the substantial completion of the pier and excursion plaza by spring to summer of 2026. Crews will not be working on July 4.
Since much of the pier work will be facilitated from a barge, the Foot of Broadway, Schultz Park, the transient dock and landmass, and the Greenway Trail (except on the river side of the floodwall between Broadway and Jefferson Street) will remain open during construction.
Please note that part of this work will include pile driving which is planned to start at the end June/early July. Pile driving is expected to last until early September and will be noisy. This 540-foot pier requires numerous mooring and support piles that will be driven into the riverbed leading to the noise. This pier will have 18 piles that are 48 inches in diameter and three mooring dolphins of equivalent size. Furthermore, there will be dozens of smaller support piles and a bulkhead. The machinery (a pile-driving hammer) to install these piles will be located on a barge and held in place by a crane. The barges will be in place for the project’s duration. After the piles are completed, the decking for the pier will be installed from the barge along with a 15-foot wide sidewalk to connect the pier to the landing at the Broadway floodwall opening.
Paducah is using a $10.4 million grant (Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant) through the Maritime Administration along with $3.5 million in State funds to cover the majority of the project’s construction cost.
Spec Building Discussion and Grant Award
Greater Paducah Economic Development President/CEO Bruce Wilcox provided a brief history of the construction of spec buildings in Paducah and McCracken County, summarized current spec buildings across Kentucky, and announced that the local community has been successful in receiving a $2 million grant toward the construction of a spec building. In March, the City approved a letter of support with the McCracken County Fiscal Court supporting GPED’s application for grant funding through the Kentucky Product Development Initiative (KPDI) to construct a 100,000-square-foot speculative building in Industrial Park West. The competitive grant has been approved with an award of $2 million. Future action would be taken by the City Commission to formally accept the grant.
Paducah Cooperative Ministry Presentation
Paducah Cooperative Ministry Executive Director Lacy Boling provided an overview of various local and state statistics regarding how a lack of housing is driving homelessness. Boling first mentioned the number of students in the McCracken County and Paducah Public school systems who were enrolled in McKinney-Vento programming for homeless assistance during the 2024-2025 school year (248 in Paducah and 212 in McCracken County). Boling also pointed out the results of the 2024 McCracken County Point in Time count which noted an increase in the homeless population count to nearly 200. As determined by the Kentucky Housing Corporation, McCracken County currently has a housing supply gap of 3,805. This number is expected to increase by 39 percent by 2029. The fair market rent is $992 in McCracken County for a two-bedroom apartment which means the estimated hourly wage that a full-time employee must earn to afford a home at HUD’s fair market rent is $19.08. Boling then shared similar statistics for the State of Kentucky noting the lack of a housing supply.
Boards and Commissions
- Reappointment of Ryan Garner and joint reappointment of Bill Bartleman to the Paducah-McCracken County Convention Center Corporation Board.
- Appointment of Alexis Marrs and Jana Dawson to the Historical & Architectural Review Commission (HARC).
- Appointment of Leslie Heath to the Planning Commission.
Additional Meeting Information
- Municipal Order approved for an agreement with Kistner Eddy Executive Services, Inc. for executive search services related to the executive director position for the Hotel Metropolitan. Mellon Foundation grant funding will pay for this contract.
- Ordinance introduced to amend the fiscal year 2025 budget regarding the Health Insurance Fund.
- City of Paducah Fire Department employee, Matt Meiser, brought forth an employee concern appeal to the Board of Commissioners as permitted in the City’s Employee Concerns Policy regarding the City’s Progressive Discipline Policy.
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