Commission creates Department of Community Development to reorganize development functions

The commission adopted an ordinance amending chapters of the Paducah code to create a Department of Community Development and to reorganize development-related functions including planning, permitting and code enforcement.

Carol, a community development staff member, provided an operational update on the transition, saying staff was temporarily co-located and that promotions and reorganizations (including Josh Fowler and Les Fugate named assistant directors) were in place to support the new structure. She said the planning commission held a public hearing on Sept. 3, 2026 and forwarded a favorable recommendation to the commission.

Commissioners asked for periodic updates; staff said the changes should be gradual and public-facing changes will be rolled out as the department settles into new roles. The ordinance passed on unanimous roll call.