Government Structure

Contact
City Hall
Administration
300 South 5th Street
P.O. Box 2267
Paducah, KY 42002-2267
Phone: 

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