By Gary Pitts
Paducah, KY – The Paducah City Commission focused on addressing budget shortfalls for the next fiscal year in a workshop meeting last night. City Manager Jeff Pederson expects revenues for the general fund to fall short of proposed expenditures by over half a million dollars next year, but says the difference will be made up through tightening department budgets and extra funds rolling over from the past year. Shortfalls in the city investment fund are to be addressed by reducing funding to the Paducah Ice Rink and some economic development projects. This is expected to allow for increased funding to the Paducah School of Art, the new Murray State University Paducah campus, a new sports park on Sheehan Bridge road, and a new downtown hotel. The first reading of the budget ordinance is planned for June 14 with approval set for June 28. The City of Paducah's fiscal year begins July 1.