By Chris Taylor
Paducah, KY – Paducah city commissioners will vote next week on an ordinance to hire Ben South as its next city manager. Mayor Bill Paxton hopes to have South begin the job starting next month, replacing Interim City Manager Jonathan Perkins. South beat out 53 other applicants for the position. In other commission meeting highlights, the city announced it will save almost $1 million after refinancing a 2001 city bond. The city originally estimated a savings of about half that amount, but further drops in interest rates and Paducah's high quality bond rating allowed even greater savings. The $9 million bond financed the construction of the Paducah-McCracken County Expo Center and part of the Carson Center. About $2 million of the debt has been paid off since.