McCracken County commissioners say city's collaboration with them has been reduced

Issues discussed at Monday's McCracken County Fiscal Court meeting centered on shared projects, and their degrees of cooperation with Paducah's mayor and City Commission. 

Judge-executive Craig Clymer said he has pointed out to Mayor George Bray that the city has chosen not to pay half the cost of needs of the convention center, leaving the county to foot the bill, despite shared advantages.

Another topic discussed was the portable stage used for public events, especially in the business district. Its $90,000 cost and one- to one-and-a-half days' time and labor to set up and take down were addressed. 

Commissioner Bill Bartleman noted that when the stage was acquired for public events a few years ago, it involved a partnership with the city that more recently has not been as collaborative as in the past. 

County Commissioner Eddie Jones said he thought the city and county were on the same page, but doubt has been cast on that. 

Former Paducah City Commissioner Richard Abraham, now serving his first term on the McCracken County Fiscal Court, noted that the county's responsibility for storing the stage with little support reflects how the constitution of boards over time can change.