The City of Paris consists of the City Commission which controls the overall operations of the City Government; the Administrative Branch that controls the day-to-day operations and oversees the taxation, billing and welfare of the community; Public Safety (under the General Fund) consisting of the Fire Department, Police Department and Street Department; and the City of Paris Combined Utilities (Utility Fund) consisting of the Sanitation Department and Recycling Center, Water Treatment and Distribution System, Power Plant and Electric Distribution, and the Wastewater Treatment and Collections System.

The General Fund (Fire, Police and Streets) are funded solely by tax dollars, federal and state grants and revenue from office rental at the General Fund owned Municipal Building at 525 High Street. The Paris-Bourbon County EMS (Ambulance) and E911 Central Communications (Dispatch) are also under the General Fund but are joint city and county ventures that are run by boards. The General Fund pays the operations cost and is then reimbursed by the county for its share. The City of Paris Combined Utilities (Water, Electric, Sewer and Sanitation) is funded from payment for services. Each entities rate is based on operating costs so that each pays for itself. The revenue generated goes into a Combined Utility Fund and is available to every department. Many communities have a Plant Board that controls the Water, Wastewater or Electric. The City of Paris opts for a combined fund that allows for greater capital to be available in times of need. No tax dollars are spent on the utilities infrastructure. In times of emergency either fund can loan money to the other, but these loans are always repaid to their prospective fund.

The City Manager controls the day-to-day operations of the City government and its entities. The City Manager form of Government guarantees that a manager qualified to handle a multi-million dollar budget is in place. This also protects the citizens of the community from mismanagement of funds and the City Commission and Mayor are also in place to oversee the management of the City alongside the City Manager. This Form of government, voted into effect by the citizens in the 1970’s, has proven a good system and the City of Paris is currently in its best shape financially since its official charter in 1862. The City of Paris will shortly pay off its final bonds and is ready to go forward with new ventures for the improvement of the community.

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Last revised: 6/16/2011 1:45:05 PM

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