Mayor’s Opening Remarks
In his opening remarks, Mayor George Bray wanted the public to know that the Paducah Board of Commissioners is still reviewing and researching the ordinance that would permit golf carts on certain city streets and planning to further discuss the issue at the Board’s January 13 regular Commission meeting.
Employment Agreement with Audra Kyle as Director of Finance
The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved a Municipal Order for an employment agreement with Audra Kyle to serve as the Director of Finance effective December 11, 2025. Kyle has been serving as Interim Finance Director since the retirement of previous director, Jonathan Perkins, in July 2025. After a nationwide search and an interview process, the City Manager’s office and the Board determined that the best candidate to serve Paducah is Kyle.
Kyle has more than 22 years of experience in governmental finance and has served the City since 2006. She was appointed Controller in 2008 and served in that role until becoming Interim Finance Director this year. Kyle, a Certified Public Accountant, began her career in public accounting, specializing in governmental and nonprofit audits, where she developed a strong foundation in accountability and public service. Kyle currently serves as President of the Kentucky Government Finance Officers Association. In 2025, she was honored as Kentucky Finance Officer of the Year. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Kentucky League of Cities and was recently appointed to the Kentucky Local Premium Tax Advisory Council.
Ordinance for Taxation of Abandoned Urban Properties
The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance creating a new section in Chapter 106 of the City’s code for the taxation of properties classified under Kentucky law as abandoned urban property. To be classified as an “abandoned urban property,” the property must be vacant or unimproved for at least one year and meet one additional condition (e.g., unfit for human habitation, unsafe or unsanitary, declared an unsafe structure, contaminated, exists in a development area established under KRS 65, or tax delinquent for three or more years). This Abandoned Urban Property Tax (AUPT) will apply to both residential and commercial properties, including vacant lots, if they meet the statutory definition.
The AUPT will be in lieu of the City’s regular property tax rate. The rate is $1.50 per $100 of assessed value instead of the current rate of $0.271 per $100 of assessed value. Each year, the City will compile a list of properties that meet the definition for approval by the Code Enforcement Board. The affected owners will be notified and have an opportunity to file an appeal before the rate is applied to their tax bill. This process, which is authorized by KRS 92.305 and KRS 132.012, is intended to address long-term vacant and neglected properties. Several Kentucky cities have enacted an AUPT including Lexington-Fayette, Covington, Hopkinsville, and Winchester.
Southside Revitalization Plan Housing Incentives and URCDA
The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance abolishing the previous Southside incentive program and creating a new, simplified program that provides incentives to improve, repair, remodel, or reconstruct existing homes and for the construction of new homes to support the Southside Revitalization Plan. The Southside Plan was adopted by the City Commission in August. The incentives, which are for the Phase 1 area at this time, are divided into two main categories: homeowner grants and developer grants. The Phase 1 area includes 1061 properties in the Southside which includes 400 vacant parcels.
The Homeowner Grant Incentive will provide a 30 percent reimbursement of project costs with $30,000 as the maximum that could be provided for a project. For example, if a homeowner spent $25,000 on new windows and a roof, the City will provide a reimbursement of 30 percent of the cost which would be $7,500. This includes new construction and major rehabilitation. Rehabilitation projects include windows, siding, electrical, HVAC, roofs, porches, interior remodel, accessibility ramps, etc. This grant will not include general maintenance such as pressure washing, appliances, or furniture.
The Developer Grant Incentive closes the gap between the cost of construction and the appraised value of a newly constructed home. The maximum award for a home is $75,000. For example, if a home costs $200,000 to construct, but the appraised value is $125,000, the Developer Incentive Grant will provide $75,000 to cover the difference between the construction cost and appraisal. This grant is used by the new homeowner as a down payment toward the cost of the home. The new homeowner will be responsible for living in the home for at least 10 years. If the homeowner leaves before that time, then the homeowner will be responsible to pay a prorated amount of the incentive back to the city. A few additional requirements for the Developer Incentive Grant include that the developer must apply for the grant prior to the home’s construction, only one application for a single property, and a homeowner/buyer must be determined prior to the City providing the grant award. Each application will be forwarded to the Urban Renewal and Community Development Agency for review and approval. The goal is for developers to begin the construction of ten new homes in the spring.
These new incentive programs will be administered by the Planning Department and the Urban Renewal and Community Development Agency (URCDA). URCDA is a board authorized by KRS to oversee the revitalization of neighborhoods. URCDA successfully managed the Lowertown and Fountain Avenue Revitalization Programs and will now manage the Southside Revitalization Area.
Rental Occupancy Ordinance Amendment
The Paducah Board of Commissioners introduced an ordinance amending various sections of Chapter 42, Article III of the Paducah Code of Ordinances related to Residential Rental Occupancy Permits for single-family dwellings and duplexes. The goal of these amendments is to make sure all rentals meet minimal life safety standards. The updates aim to improve safety, clarify enforcement procedures, and enhance transparency for both landlords and tenants. Changes include redefining inspection timelines, expanding the authority of the Code Official, introducing a Certificate of Compliance for code-abiding properties, and creating a public list of compliant rental units. The update emphasizes tenant privacy rights and removes the requirement for an occupancy permit before utility service can be established. There will be a $100.00 fee for the issuance of a rental occupancy permit and the initial inspection and a $50.00 fee for the renewal of a rental occupancy permit and the related inspection.
Christmas Parade Award Presentation
Assistant Director of Recreation Taylor Morsching presented awards to the first-place winners in the six categories for the 2025 Christmas Parade. The parade which had approximately 100 entries was held December 6 in downtown Paducah with the theme, Sounds of Christmas. First-place winners are as follows:
- Themed Float – Darling Ingredients
- Religious Float – Washington Street Baptist Church
- Non-Float – Goodwin Farms
- School Float – Forest Friends
- Drill Team – Xplosive Force Dance Team “XForce”
- Band – Massac County High School Marching Patriots
Additional Meeting Information
- Assistant Director of Recreation Taylor Morsching introduced two employees: LaMiira Askew who recently moved to a new role as Recreation Specialist and new employee, Parks Supervisor Kobin Gray.
- Paducah Power System Director of Finance, Power Supply and Rates Doug Handley presented the public power provider’s annual audit report. The audit shows that Paducah Power’s financial condition is solid. Regarding rates, Handley said that if the average PPS rate in January 2022 had increased at the rate of annual inflation, it would be 17 percent higher than the current rate. Handley also discussed the revenue gained in the fiscal year from data mining customers. In looking ahead, Handley said Paducah Power has two major substation upgrade projects and a fiber-to-the-home project.
- Municipal Order approved approving a professional services contract with Bacon Farmer Workman Engineering and Testing, Inc. for the Greenway Trail Phase VII project. This project extends the trail from downtown toward the Southside.
- Municipal Order approved ratifying the Mayor’s signature on an Access Agreement and Addendum with Terracon Consultants, Inc.
- The next meeting of the Paducah Board of Commissioners is scheduled for January 13.
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