Government Structure

City Manager Plan

Paducah operates under a City Manager Plan form of government. On November 8, 1932, the citizens of Paducah voted to become a City Manager form of Government. The Paducah Board of Commissioners is made up of the Mayor and four Commissioners elected at large by the citizens on a non-partisan basis.  he Mayor is elected for a four-year term and Commissioners for a two-year term. The Mayor and Commissioners have equal voting powers.

The Paducah Board of Commissioners sets the policies that govern the City. The Board appoints advisory citizen groups that help in the decision-making process. The City Manager is appointed by the Board and assists it in formulating objectives, policies, and programs. The City Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the City's approximately 330 full-time employees. Department directors are responsible for their respective departments and report directly to the City Manager. 

Oath of Office, Mayors, Commissioners, and City Managers

Oath of Office

When the Mayor and Commissioners are sworn into office, they take the following oath:

I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this Commonwealth, and be faithful and true to the Commonwealth of Kentucky so long as I continue a citizen thereof, and that I will faithfully execute, to the best of my ability, the office of [Mayor/Commissioner], according to law; and I do further solemnly swear that since the adoption of the present Constitution, I, being a citizen of this State, have not fought a duel with deadly weapons within this State nor out of it, nor have I sent or accepted a challenge to fight a duel with deadly weapons, nor have I acted as a second in carrying a challenge, nor aided or assisted any person thus offending, so help me God.

Paducah's Mayors

 

#	NAME	TERM	ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
40.	George P. Bray	2021-Present
39.	Brandi Harless	2017-2020
38.	Gayle Kaler	2013-2016
37.	William F. Paxton, III	2001-2012	Served three four-year terms.
36.	Albert Jones	1996-2000
35.	Gerry Biggs Montgomery	1988-1995	Served two four-year terms.
34.	Joseph Viterisi	1984-1987
33.	John K. Penrod	1980-1983
32.	William S. Murphy	1976-1979
31.	Alice Hite (Dolly) McNutt	1972-1975
30.	Robert C. Cherry	1968-1971
29.	Thomas W. Wilson	1964-1967
28.	Robert C. Cherry	1960-1963
27.	George G. Jacobs	1956-1959
26.	Robert C. Cherry	1952-1955
25.	Stuart Johnston	1949-1951	Completed Mayor Peak's term.
24.	Gene Peak	1948-1949	Died in office.
23.	Wayne C. Seaton	1944-1947
22.	Pierce E. Lackey	1940-1943
21.	Edgar T. Washburn	1936-1939
20.	E.G. Scott	1932-1935
19.	Ernest Lackey	1928-1931
18.	J.W. Bailey, M.D.	1924-1927
17.	Frederick William Katterjohn	1920-1923
16.	Frank N. Burns	Nov. 1916-Nov. 1919	Resigned to accept appointment as KY Railroad Commissioner.
15.	Ernest Lackey	Jan. 1916-Nov. 1916	Election ruled invalid by the KY Court of Appeals in June 1916.  Governor appointed Lackey to serve until the November election of 1916.
14.	Thomas Needham Hazelip	1912-1915
13.	James Peterson Smith	1908-1911
12.	David Ayers Yeiser, Sr.	1902-1907	Paducah became a second class city in 1902.
11.	James M. Lang	Dec 6, 1897-1901	All third class city mayors served two-year terms.  In 1897, the first primary election was held, and mayors were elected for four-year terms.
10.	David Ayers Yeiser, Sr.	1891-1897
9.	Joseph Henry Johnson	March 1889-1891
8.	Charles Reed	March 21, 1881-March 1889	Elections in March 1881, 1883, 1885, and 1887.  Served four two-year terms.
7.	Meyer Weil	1877-March 1881	Elections in 1877 and 1879.  Served two two-year terms.
6.	John G. Fisher	1875-1877
5.	Meyer Weil	1871-1875	Elections in 1871 and 1873.  Served two two-year terms.
4.	John W. Sauner	1867-1871	Elections in 1867 and 1869.  Served two two-year terms.
3.	John G. Fisher	1863-1867	Elections in 1863 and 1865.  Served two two-year terms.
2.	John W. Sauner	1859-1863	Elections in 1869 and 1861.  Served two two-year terms.
1.	Jesse Hampton Gardner	March 10, 1856-1859	March 10, 1856--The date Paducah became a third class city.

Paducah's Commissioners

 

Class #	Election Year for Commissioners	Commissioners	Mayor
44.	2022 (term commencing January 2023)	Sandra Wilson Raynarldo Henderson Robert Buz Smith David Guess	George P. Bray
43.	2020 (term commencing January 2021)	Sandra Wilson Raynarldo Henderson David Guess Carol C. Gault	George P. Bray
42.	2018 (term commencing January 2019)	Richard Abraham Gerald Watkins Sandra Wilson Brenda McElroy	Brandi Harless
41.	2016 (term commencing January 2017)	Sandra Wilson Allan Rhodes, Jr. Richard Abraham Sarah Stewart Holland	Brandi Harless
40.	2014 (term commencing January 2015)	Allan Rhodes, Jr. Richard Abraham Sandra Wilson Carol Gault	Gayle Kaler
39.	2012 (term commencing January 2013)	Sandra Wilson Richard Abraham Allan Rhodes, Jr. Carol Gault	Gayle Kaler
38.	2010 (term commencing January 2011)	Gayle Kaler Gerald Watkins Richard Abraham Carol Gault	William "Bill" Paxton
37.	2008 (term commencing January 2009)	Gayle Kaler Gerald Watkins Carol Gault Richard Abraham	William "Bill" Paxton
36.	2006 (term commencing January 2007)	Robert Coleman Gayle Kaler Gerald Watkins Robert "Buz" Smith	William "Bill" Paxton
35.	2004 (term commencing January 2005)	Robert "Buz" Smith Robert Coleman George Sirk David Guess	William "Bill" Paxton
34.	2002 (term commencing January 2003)	Gerry Montgomery Robert "Buz" Smith Robert Coleman David Guess	William "Bill" Paxton
33.	2000 (term commencing January 2001)	Gerry Montgomery Robert Coleman Richard Abraham Robert "Buz" Smith	William "Bill" Paxton
32.	1998 (term commencing January 1999)	Robert "Buz" Smith Jill Gott Wrye Robert Coleman William "Bill" Paxton	Albert Jones (served 5-year term due to State constitutional amendment approved in 1992)
31.	1996 (term commencing January 1997)	Robert Coleman P.J. Grumley Zana Renfro Robert "Buz" Smith	Albert Jones (elected in 1995 with term commencing January 1996)
30.	1993 (term commencing January 1994)	P.J. Grumley Zana Renfro Robert Coleman John Hornsby	Gerry Biggs Montgomery
29.	1991 (term commencing January 1992)	Earl Feezor P.J. Grumley Rev. Tim Taylor John Hornsby	Gerry Biggs Montgomery
28.	1989 (term commencing January 1990)	Robert Coleman Robert Leeper Rev. Tim Taylor P.J. Grumley	Gerry Biggs Montgomery
27.	1987 (term commencing January 1988)	Robert Leeper Robert Coleman Joe Keeling P.J. Grumley	Gerry Biggs Montgomery
26.	1985 (term commencing January 1986)	P.J. Grumley Robert Coleman Harold "Shorty" Ford Hal Cole	Joe Viterisi
25.	1983 (term commencing January 1984)	P.J. Grumley Robert Coleman Harold "Shorty" Ford Hal Cole	Joe Viterisi
24.	1981 (term commencing January 1982)	Joe Viterisi Robert Coleman Harold "Shorty" Ford James Flynn	John Penrod
23.	1979 (term commencing January 1980)	Robert Coleman Joe Viterisi Harold "Shorty" Ford James Flynn	John Penrod
22.	1977 (term commencing January 1978)	Robert Coleman Gordon Meeks P.J. Grumley Henry Puryear	William Murphy
21.	1975 (term commencing January 1976)	Clifford Brumley P.J. Grumley Henry Puryear John Hornsby	William Murphy
20.	1973 (term commencing January 1974)	Henry Puryear John Hornsby Cliff Brumley Robert Coleman	Dolly McNutt  (first woman elected as Mayor)
19.	1971 (term commencing January 1972)	Henry Puryear Joh Hornsby Tommy Lambert W.G. Harvey	Dolly McNutt
18.	1969 (term commencing January 1970)	W.G. Harvey Henry Puryear H.E. "Gene" Fisher John Hornsby	Robert Cherry
17.	1967 (term commencing January 1968)	Dolly McNutt Tommy Lambert W.F. "Bill" Fellers (died in office February 6, 1968) Rev. W.G. Harvey (appointed to Fellers' seat-first African-American Commissioner) Henry Puryear	Robert Cherry
16.	1965 (term commencing January 1966)	Robert Johnston William Paxton William Kressenberg Henry Puryear	Tom Wilson
15.	1963 (term commencing January 1964)	Jimmie Davis William Kressenberg A.B. Fendley John Hornsby	Tom Wilson
14.	1961 (term commencing January 1962)	Winston Gholson Albert Karns John Hornsby Oba D. Fields (died in office February 19, 1962) A.B. Fendley (appointed to fill Fields' seat)	Robert Cherry
13.	1959 (term commencing January 1960)	Haley Hook Leon Davis Winston Gholson A.B. Fendley	Robert Cherry
12.	1957 (term commencing January 1958)	Haley Hook Winston Gholson A.B. Fendley R.E. Fairhurst	George G. Jacobs
11.	1955 (term commencing January 1956)	Ed Trevathan Morris McBride H.L. Gangnath Tory W. Clark	George G. Jacobs
10.	1953 (term commencing January 1954)	George Jacobs Schultz Riggs Roy Hughes George A. Hannin, Sr.	Robert Cherry
9.	1951 (term commencing January 1952)	George Jacobs Robert C. Marrow Clark Stuart Johnston	Robert Cherry
8.	1949 (term commencing January 1950)	C.G. Sims George Jacobs George Hannin George Thomas	Gene Peak (died in office in 1949-Stuart Johnston completed Peak's term)
7.	1947 (term commencing January 1948)	Paul Abell George E. Allen Stuart Johnson Edward Carlick	Gene Peak (youngest mayor elected at 30 years of age)
6.	1945 (term commencing January 1946)	Stuart Johnston C.G. Sims Paul E. Friedlander J.C. Williams	Pierce E. Lackey
5.	1943 (term commencing January 1944)	(searching archives for information)	Pierce E. Lackey
4.	1941 (term commencing January 1942)	Marian Dorian Stuart Johnston Dr. S.B. Pulliam Wagner	Pierce E. Lackey
3.	1939 (term commencing January 1940)	Dr. S.B. Pulliam Mary M. Dorian (first female Commissioner) George C. Baker W.A. Blackburn	Pierce E. Lackey
2.	1937 (term commencing 1938)	Gus. E. Hank, Jr. Dr. S.B. Pulliam Bob Stubblefield Herbert Melton	E.G. Scott
1.	First Commission under City Manager Form of Government	Edgar T. Washburn John S. Ripley George Baker E.R. Bradshaw	E.G. Scott

Paducah's City Managers

#	NAME	TERM	ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/OCCUPATION
30.	Daron Jordan	August 1, 2021 to Present	Organizational Management
29.	James Arndt	July 1, 2018 to July 31, 2021	Public Administration
28.	Mark Thompson	January 13, 2018 to June 30, 2018	Parks & Recreation Director serving as interim City Manager
27.	Jeff Pederson	December 7, 2010 to January 12, 2018	Public Administration
26.	Jonathan W. Perkins	March 10, 2010 to December 16, 2010	Finance Director serving as interim City Manager
25.	James W. Zumwalt	May 18, 1998 to March 2, 2010	Public Administration.  Longest serving City Manager to date.
24.	Earl Feezor	November 1, 1997 to June 1, 1998	Interim City Manager.  CEO of Western Baptist Hospital.
23.	Jerry Hoover	September 5, 1994 to May 1, 1998	Worked for State Auditor
22.	Charles Ward	June 22, 1994 to September 2, 1994	Interim City Manager.  High school teacher
21.	James L. Pennington	June 18, 1990 to July 8, 1994	Public Administration
20.	Leslie R. Allen	May 2, 1990 to June 18, 1990	Interim City Manager.  Public Administration.
19.	R. Thomas Worley	January 16, 1989 to May 1, 1990	Public Administration
18.	Carl Holder, Jr.	April 1, 1981 to August 27, 1988	Public Administration
17.	James C. Tidwell	February 10, 1977 to March 31, 1981	Plant Manager
16.	J. William Howerton	December 5, 1972 to November 16, 1976	Attorney
15.	Larry E. Thomas	May 1, 1970 to October 3, 1972	Public Administration
14.	R. H. Overstreet	March 1, 1968 to April 30, 1970	Local businessman
13.	B. Cowles Mallory	March 24, 1965 to February 1, 1968	Public Administration
12.	R.L. Brockman	March 1, 1960 to February 1, 1965	Office and business management
11.	Lloyd C. Emery	March 7, 1955 to January 1, 1960	Attorney
10.	Fred H. Morgan, Sr.	March 20, 1954 to January 25, 1955	Local businessman
9.	Glen A. Lovern	August 15, 1953 to December 13, 1953	Government Administration
8.	Cornelius Bodine, Jr.	October 1, 1952 to June 15, 1953	Public Administration
7.	Fred H. Morgan, Sr.	July 1, 1952 to September 30, 1952	Local businessman
6.	C.R. Moffit	January 4, 1950 to June 30, 1952	Educator
5.	Victor C. Hobday	July 1, 1947 to January 31, 1950	Public Administration
4.	Charles A. Williams	March 13, 1946 to May 14, 1947	Attorney
3.	H.G. McElwee	February 24, 1943 to March 12, 1946	Local businessman
2.	James P. Smith	January 4, 1940 to February 23, 1943	Local businessman
1.	L.V. Bean	January 1, 1934 to January 2, 1940	Public Administration