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Paducah finance staff outline FY26 personnel costs; personal services projected to grow
Summary
City staff presented a high‑level FY26 general fund personnel overview: 345 FTEs across funds, 288 general‑fund positions, and projected personal‑services cost rising toward a $34 million estimate in FY26, driven by wages, overtime and retirement costs.
City finance staff delivered a general fund personnel overview during the April 8 meeting, noting that personal‑service costs constitute roughly two‑thirds of general fund expenditures and are the primary driver of the FY26 budget.
The presentation, led by a staff member identified as John, said the FY25 budget includes 345 full‑time equivalents across all funds and 288 positions paid from the general fund. Historically the city paid an average of 260 full‑time positions despite budgeting higher headcount, and staff said personal‑services costs are projected to grow at approximately 5% per year from FY22 levels.
John broke down personal services by category: salaries and wages make up about 57% of personal‑service costs; overtime about 9%; retirement about 19%; health insurance about 8%; and the balance covers FICA, Medicare, work comp and other benefits. Public safety dominates the personnel budget: police and fire together account for about 63% of general‑fund personal‑service cost (police ~34%, fire ~29%), while police, fire, public works and parks together account for about 80%.
Staff said the FY26 general‑fund personal‑service cost is projected around $34 million (compared to audited FY22 personal services of about $27.3 million) and that commissioners will be asked to provide direction about personnel levels and priorities during the budget review process. The mayor and commissioners noted personnel is a key priority and acknowledged the upcoming detailed budget sessions.
No personnel reductions, layoffs or specific salary changes were proposed at the meeting; staff presented data for commissioner review and said further, department‑level discussions and one‑on‑one briefings will follow as the budget process continues.
