Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Ordinance
The Paducah Board of Commissioners introduced the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Ordinance which, once approved, will be effective July 1. The budget ordinance will be presented for adoption at the June 10 Commission Meeting. City Manager Daron Jordan provided an overview of the budget through the presentation of his budget address.
“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.”
Paducah Main Street Contract for Services
The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved a municipal order authorizing a contract between the City of Paducah and Paducah Main Street. The Main Street function is transitioning from a division of the Planning Department to an external agency with a contract for services with the City. This contract for services is effective July 1 and will expire in five years.
As outlined in the contract, the City of Paducah will pay Main Street $400,000 for fiscal year 2026. At the same time, Main Street will be conducting fundraising efforts to offset the need for the entire payment from the city. Future payments by the City to Main Street will be based on fundraising results by Main Street. However, the City’s intent is to lower its financial support as Main Street gains traction as an independently operating organization.
In consideration for the City funding, below are a few of the services outlined in the contract that Main Street shall perform for and on behalf of the City:
- Adhere to the Four Principles: Organization, Design, Economic Vitality, and Promotion embodied through the committee structure of the Main Street model.
- Promote economic development, historic preservation, monetary investment and market downtown Historic Paducah through a yearly work plan following the four-point approach. Maintain liaison with the Kentucky Heritage council and Kentucky Main Street program and prepare for the City reports or materials required by and for the Main Street program to maintain accreditation as applicable.
- Work in partnership with planning staff to administer both the existing Main Street incentive programs in addition to all others created in conjunction with this contract.
- Work in conjunction with various festival boards, other non- profits located in the district as well as the Convention and Visitors Bureau to provide the city with a consensus of downtown stakeholders on actions needed to resolve problems and support the common goals of the downtown district.
- Work with Realtors and property owners to maintain a current available property list and promote through social media outlets.
- Create and maintain a website as well as other social media outlets to promote businesses and events in the Historic district.
- Support Main Street area businesses through promotional activities and continue to increase downtown participation through hosting promotions and events.
- Work with and/or employ Festival Coordinator to facilitate the BBQ on the River Festival and monitor information on the BBQ on the River website as well as provide support to other downtown festivals.
- Work in partnership with the Columbia Theater LLC to Market the Columbia Theatre.
As part of the contract, Main Street agrees to work with the City to appoint a Board of Directors of five to seven people. The Board also approved an ordinance at this meeting repealing Chapter 2 Division 15 of the Paducah Code of Ordinance related to Main Street.
Property Transfer to Paducah Public Schools for Softball Field and Stadium
The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved a Municipal Order authorizing the transfer of two acres of city-owned property located at 2400 Brooks Stadium Drive to the Paducah Independent School District. This property is adjacent to Brooks Stadium. The school district is planning to use the property to construct a softball field and stadium for use by the district’s middle and high school students. This new field will be at a higher elevation and out of the floodplain as compared to the current field used by the district. Paducah Public Schools is funding the construction of the new field and partnering with the Brooks Stadium Commission for the shared use of the parking lot. As part of the terms of the donation agreement for this property, the Paducah School District will construct the ballfield and demolish the blighted buildings located on the school’s property at 700 Highland Boulevard in the Forest Hills Neighborhood no later than May 1, 2026.
Additional Meeting Information
- Reappointment of William W. Cox, Jr. and Mark Davis and appointment of Leigh Ann Ballegeer to the Paducah Area Transit System.
- Municipal Order approved authorizing the payment to Xylem Dewatering Solutions, Inc. for emergency pump rental during the April flooding.
- Municipal Order approved authorizing the payment to Clean Earth, Inc. for household hazardous waste and electronic waste collected during the City-County Spring Clean Up Day held earlier this month.
- Municipal Order approved for a contract modification with Tyler Technologies for the fire record documentation software.
- Ordinance approved for a professional services contract with HDR, Inc. for an analysis of alternatives regarding sedimentation occurring downstream from the transient boat dock. The sedimentation has been affecting Midwest Terminal’s transloading facility. The United States Corps of Engineers (USACE) is requesting an analysis of options to alleviate the effect of the sediment on Midwest Terminal.
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