PADUCAH — Paducah Finance Director Jonathan Perkins celebrated his retirement after 34 years of service to the city during a retirement reception Wednesday.
Perkins, who originally hails from Missouri, started his career in Paducah in 1991 at the age of 32. Over the years, Perkins said he worked to build and improve the city’s financial reporting. Perkins said he loved being in Paducah and serving the city for all of these years. While he has no specific plans for the future, he said he is looking forward to getting to spend time with his family.
Perkins after receiving the Living Our Values Every Day Award from the city of Paducah.
“I always had believed that you should leave a place better than you found it, and I think I have,” Perkins said. “I think the city of Paducah is in excellent financial condition. We have excellent management and a great staff to take over.”
Under his direction, the City of Paducah has won the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting annually for the last 34 years. The award, given out by the Government Financial Officers Association, honors local governments which go beyond in their financial reporting practices.
Perkins’ retirement reception was held in the atrium of Paducah’s city hall. Many city officials, commissioners, and workers attended to celebrate his time with the city, and see him off into the next chapter of his life.
Perkins’ retirement reception was held in the atrium of Paducah’s city hall. Many city officials, commissioners, and workers attended to celebrate his time with the city, and see him off into the next chapter of his life.
City Commissioner Raynarldo Henderson was one attendee to the reception. Henderson said it was a bittersweet moment for the city. He said Perkins had always helped the commission stay up to date on the city’s financial situation, and kept a balanced budget.
“It will be a real loss for the city, but the city is better because John Perkins has served here,” Henderson said.
During last week’s city commission meeting, where Perkins’ retirement was first announced, Mayor George Bray complimented his work for the city, and the integrity and commitment to excellence he put into his work.
“Jonathan brought a wealth of experience with him to Paducah and continued to grow in the more than three decades serving our community,” Bray said. “Your commitment to financial soundness and transparency has made our community and city government stronger.”
While Henderson said he didn’t know who would replace Perkins, or about the process to find a replacement, he did say the city may work to find an interim director soon. Whoever the next choice is, Henderson said it would be hard to find someone who could fill Perkins’ shoes.