Paducah commission approves $100,000 for junior college scholarships amid questions about $3 million balance

The Paducah Board of Commissioners voted 2–1 to authorize a $100,000 contract with Paducah Junior College for the community scholarship program after a debate about the program's growing balance. The finance director told commissioners the scholarship fund balance was $2,920,000 as of June 30, 2025 and that the city’s most recent $100,000 contribution did not yet appear on that report. “The number that you see there in yellow, 2,920,000, that's what the current balance was as of 06/30/2025,” Finance Director Jonathan Perkins said. The vote enacted a municipal order authorizing the mayor to execute the contract and left in place the city’s planned contribution for the coming year. Commissioner Smith had pulled the item from the consent agenda and asked whether the city should pause contributions because the fund is “clearly overly overfunded.” Smith said, “I would be in favor of just pausing the contribution.” Mayor Bray recommended funding the amount for the current year while asking the college and scholarship foundation to present detailed use plans and proposed changes. “My recommendation would be that we fund that fund this year and set up a meeting with the folks at WKCTC and talk about how we can use these dollars for more scholarships,” Bray said, adding that if the fund is not used more aggressively next year, the commission could reconsider future contributions. Commissioner Henderson voted for the contract and urged continued funding, saying sustained contributions increase the chances that more students will use the program. The roll call was Commissioner Henderson — Aye; Commissioner Smith — No; Mayor Bray — Aye, and the motion passed. The commission did not adopt any changes to eligibility or distribution at the meeting; members requested that West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) or the scholarship foundation present documentation at a future meeting explaining current disbursements, fund reserves, and options for increasing scholarship use. Background: The scholarship program was established with city and county support to provide no-cost WKCTC attendance for qualifying local high-school graduates. Commissioners said they wanted clearer information on how the fund is being used before making longer-term funding changes.