Paducah's Commissioners
Government Structure
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. The 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. It 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.
List of Paducah's Mayors >>
List of Paducah's City Managers >>
Paducah's Commissioners
| Class # | Election Year for Commissioners | Commissioners | Mayor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42. |
2018 (term commencing January 2019) CURRENT CLASS |
Richard Abraham |
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 |
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 |
William "Bill" Paxton |
| 32. | 1998 (term commencing January 1999) |
Robert "Buz" Smith |
Albert Jones (served 5-year term due to State constitutional amendment approved in 1992) |
| 31. | 1996 (term commencing January 1997) |
Robert Coleman |
Albert Jones
|
| 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 |
John Penrod |
| 22. | 1977 (term commencing January 1978) |
Robert Coleman |
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 |
Dolly McNutt |
| 18. | 1969 (term commencing January 1970) |
W.G. Harvey |
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 |
Tom Wilson |
| 15. | 1963 (term commencing January 1964) |
Jimmie Davis |
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 |
Robert Cherry |
| 11. | 1955 (term commencing January 1956) | Ed Trevathan Morris McBride H.L. Gangnath Tory W. Clark |
Robert Cherry |
| 10. | 1953 (term commencing January 1954) |
George Jacobs |
Robert Cherry |
| 9. | 1951 (term commencing January 1952) |
George Jacobs |
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 |
Pierce E. Lackey |
| 3. | 1939 (term commencing January 1940) |
Dr. S.B. Pulliam |
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 |