HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/16/07JULY 16, 2007
At a Joint Called Meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the City of Paducah and
McCracken County Fiscal Court, held in Courtroom D, of the McCracken County
Courthouse at 6:00 p.m., Monday, July 16, 2007, Judge Newberry and Mayor Paxton
presided, and upon call of the roll by the Assistant City Clerk, the following answered to
their names: Commissioners Kaler, Smith, Watkins and Mayor Paxton (4).
Commissioner Coleman was absent (1). Fiscal Court members present were: Judge
Newberry, Commissioner Renfro, Commissioner Freeman and Commissioner Beyer (4).
MOTIONS
R & F CALLED MEETING NOTICES
Commissioner Kaler offered motion, seconded by Commissioner Smith, that the Board
approve a motion that the Notices of Called Meeting for Monday, July 16, 2007 at 6:00
p.m. be received and filed. Adopted on call of the roll, yeas, Commissioners Kaler,
Smith, Watkins, and Mayor Paxton (4).
DISCUSSION
AIRPORT FINANCES
Neil Archer, Chairman of the Airport Board for Barkley Regional Airport, introduced the
Airport Board members present at the meeting. Mr. Archer stated that the airport has
functioned on its own for many years without additional revenue. However, without
additional revenue, it is unable to cover operating costs, increase marketing, and attract
another airline carrier that could supply additional seats for continued growth of the
airport. Mr. Archer then stated that efforts by the Board to find additional funding
sources have been exhausted and asked the Fiscal Court to consider a taxing district for
McCracken County to generate income for Barkley Regional Airport. The Board
proposed starting the process in August and concluding in December. Revenue
collection could then begin January 1, 2008.
Judge -Executive Van Newberry thanked the Board for their hard work and stated that the
Fiscal Court would schedule a workshop for further discussion of this topic.
THINK TANK PRESENTATION
Joe Framptom and Kristin Williams, members of the "Think Tank Team" gave a power -
point presentation detailing how and why this "Team" was developed. The first meeting
of the team was in February of 2006 with participants looking at what they could do to
better our community. After much discussion and field trips to other cities they learned
Paducah needs to focus more on people, networks are crucial, it's not about buildings,
and that holes in our economic development fabric need to be filled.
The Team recommends adding to what's already being done to provide economic
development by creating a "New Business Venture Center" with a director to implement
cultural change, create networks, recruit mentors, money, and the best and brightest
college graduates and entrepreneurs.
Currently, the Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Paducah Economic Development
Center are working together to create the job description for the director of the New
Business Venture Center.
Upon motion meeting adjourned.
ADOPTED: July 24 , 2007
Assistant City Clerk
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