Setting Property Tax Levy
The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance (with Commissioner Dujuan Thomas voting no) setting the City’s real estate and personal property tax rates for fiscal year 2026. The City’s real estate tax levy is set at 27.1 cents per $100 assessed value, slightly higher than last year’s rate of 26.4 cents. The City’s Compensating Rate, the rate that would keep the revenue at the same amount as last year, is 26.1 cents per $100 assessed value. Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) permits a city to adjust the rate upward no more than 4 percent of the compensating rate. Since the City’s tax levy of 27.1 cents is higher than the compensating rate, a public hearing was required and held at the last meeting. Taking the 27.1 rate rather than the compensating rate will generate $257,000 in revenue.
Please note that the City of Paducah collects the tax funds for the Paducah Independent School District and then remits the funds to the district. The City does not set the school district’s rates. The school district is setting its real estate tax levy to be 88.2 cents per $100 of assessed value. Only 23 percent of a homeowner’s entire tax bill is designated for the city government. Learn more by visiting Property Tax.
Tree Voucher Program Discussion
Director of Parks and Recreation Amie Clark presented to the Board a program to provide financial incentives to property owners to plant shade trees. The proposed Tree Voucher Program would help replenish Paducah’s tree canopy, educate the public about the benefits of planting trees, and remove barriers that may exist for residents interested in planting trees on their private property. Applications for the proposed Tree Voucher Program will open to the public November 15 with only one voucher per applicant/household. Applications will be accepted through January 9. After an application review period, vouchers would be issued to approved applicants beginning February 1, 2026.
Below are a few of the program elements:
- Vouchers will be in the amount of $250 and valid for one calendar year.
- Vouchers will be available until the designated funds are depleted. The City is setting aside $150,000 for this program.
- Applicant information will be stored for a future tree-mapping project.
- Vouchers can be redeemed at the participating nurseries.
- Vouchers only can be used for the purchase of an approved tree species and size as listed in the guidelines.
The delivery, planting, and long-term maintenance of the tree will be the responsibility of the property owner. Once planted, a member of the Tree Advisory Board will inspect to ensure proper planting.
Paducah Sports Park
On September 11, the McCracken Sports Tourism Commission met to approve contract modifications with various contractors working on the construction of the Paducah Sports Park and recommended their approval by the Paducah Board of Commissioners and the McCracken Fiscal Court.
At this meeting, the first Municipal Order approved by the Paducah Board of Commissioners authorizes contract modification #3 with A&K Construction for the construction of the entry plaza at the Paducah Sports Park. Earlier this year, the Board approved the construction of the Championship Field with A&K and last month approved adding 73 days to the contract for a new completion date of March 1, 2026.
At this meeting the Board also approved three municipal orders for contract modifications with the following companies: Sprinturf, LLC; Avanti; and Musco Sport Lighting. These modifications add 73 days to their contracts due to weather and time delays. The new contract completion dates will be March 1, 2026 instead of December 15, 2025. Furthermore, the Sprinturf and Avanti contracts have deductions in the final costs.
Boards and Commissions
- Reappointment of Joseph Benberry to the Paducah Planning Commission.
- Reappointment of Ashley Johnson to the Paducah-McCracken County Riverport Authority.
Additional Meeting Information
- Mayor Bray presented a proclamation to Myrna Redfield, Robert Hernandez, and several city employees proclaiming September 15 through October 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month. This proclamation celebrates the culture and historical contributions of people from, or whose ancestors came from, Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central or South America. Mayor Bray read the proclamation in English, and then Myrna Redfield read the proclamation in Spanish. Redfield, who works as President & CEO of Four Rivers Nuclear Partnership, is a native of Puerto Rico. Mayor Bray also named Redfield a Duchess of Paducah.
- Mayor Bray presented a proclamation to members of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Paducah Chapter proclaiming September 17 through 23 as Constitution Week. September 17 marks the anniversary of the drafting of the Constitution.
- Municipal Order approved for a contract with PFGW Architects for the design of a maintenance building for the Parks and Recreation Department in Noble Park.
- Municipal Order approved authorizing the purchase approximately 7.25 acres at 1302 Tennessee Street. This property will be used to expand the Fire Department’s Training Field.
- Municipal Order approved for a contract for services between the City and Sprocket, Inc. with the City providing $100,000 in support of Sprocket’s small business development and entrepreneurial programs.
- Municipal Order approved authorizing a grant application to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for the County Priority Projects Program. The City is requesting $500,000 which will be used for street repair and resurfacing.
- Municipal Order approved authorizing the Engineering Department to partner with the Purchase Area Development District to apply for the GRANT program for matching funds for the Delta Regional Authority 2025 application. This grant request is for $2 million for a stormwater project.
- Ordinance introduction to approve a 10-year non-exclusive cable franchise with Ritter Communications. This ordinance repeals the previous telecommunications franchise with Ritter.
- Ordinance introduction to repeal and replace Article IV, Chapter 34 Urban Renewal of the Paducah Code of Ordinances. Several years ago, the Urban Renewal and Community Development Agency (URCDA) and the Planning Commission were joined as two boards that utilized the same members. This action separates the boards with each having their own members.
- The regularly scheduled meeting for September 23 is cancelled due to scheduling conflicts.
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