PADUCAH, KY - The Mayor and Commissioners approved an ordinance setting the real estate and personal property taxes for fiscal year 2013.  A public hearing for the levies was held at the September 11 Commission meeting.  The City’s real estate tax levy is proposed to remain at 25 cents per $100 assessed value.  That rate is the same as the rate set for fiscal years 2008 through 2012.  Finance Director Jonathan Perkins says, “Retaining the same tax levy for yet another year shows our concern for citizens during challenging economic times.”  Since FY1995, the City’s real estate tax rate has dropped from 43.8 cents to 25 cents per $100 assessed value.  The ordinance also outlines the levies for the Paducah Independent School System and the Paducah Junior College.  A document showing citizens how to calculate their property tax bill is located on the city’s website, www.paducahky.gov, under the Finance Department.  For example, a home assessed at $50,000 in the City of Paducah and in the Paducah Independent School District will generate a property tax bill of $507. 


Other topics during the evening include:

* Olivet Road Church Road Improvement Project: After meeting in closed session, the Mayor and Commissioners returned to open session.  Commissioner Carol Gault made the following motion, seconded by Mayor Bill Paxton, “I move to request the McCracken County Fiscal Court to have a joint meeting to discuss the status of the current design and implementation of the Olivet Church Road Improvement Project.”  Upon the approval of the motion, the meeting adjourned.

* Boards and Commissions:  Bill Baxter appointed to the McCracken County Animal Shelter Advisory Board.

* Ordinance approved to purchase 16 eight-yard commercial dumpsters utilizing the State contract.  The purchase price is $31,160.  Additional dumpsters will be ordered during this fiscal year in a total amount not to exceed $70,000.

* Commissioner Gayle Kaler reminded everyone about the Dragon Boat Festival this Saturday at the riverfront.  Proceeds from the sponsorships and the competing teams will benefit the River Discovery Center.

* The Mayor and Commissioners, City Manager, and City Engineer-Public Works Director Rick Murphy discussed the responsibility of homeowners in maintaining their right-of-way including the curb and gutter (Paducah Code of Ordinances Chapter 98-31).  Recent incidents of lawn service companies blowing grass clippings into the curb and gutter area sparked the conversation.  The unsightly grass clippings have a negative effect on storm water collection and drainage. 

Information provided by Pam Spencer, Public Information Officer.