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Buz attended Paducah Community College and Western Kentucky University. He lives in Paducah with his wife, Janie. 

Buz currently works as a business analyst for the U.S. Department of Energy.

Buz Smith currently serves as a commissioner for Paducah. He served six terms from 1997-2008 and was elected to a seventh term in 2022.

As of August 20, 2024, Robert "Buz' Smith’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Energy & the Environment

Candidate website

Believes addressing the housing shortage, particularly for young people and new housing types, is crucial for city growth and economic development.

Advocates for new housing that addresses the needs of young people, like smaller homes and condos.

Supports initiatives to develop affordable housing and new housing growth in areas of demolition, encouraging development that blends with neighborhood character.

Supports initiatives to develop affordable housing and new housing growth in vacant lots, encouraging development that blends with neighborhood character.

Believes the "work from home business model" allows smaller communities like Paducah to compete with large metropolitan areas, and supports strategic actions to revitalize the city, particularly the southside, by improving housing stock and addressing shortages to attract new residents.

Supports strategic actions to revitalize the city, particularly the southside, by improving housing stock and addressing shortages to attract new residents.

Supports re-evaluating city-owned facilities to ensure fiscal responsibility and efficient management.

Supports "running the city like a business."

- Advocates for new housing that addresses the needs of young people, like smaller homes and condos.
- Supports initiatives to develop affordable housing and new housing growth in vacant lots, encouraging development that blends with neighborhood character.
- Supports strategic actions to revitalize the city, particularly the southside, by improving housing stock and addressing shortages to attract new residents.
- Supports "running the city like a business."

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Wants to make the library "fiscally sustainable by expanding financial support countywide."

Supported the county-wide expansion of the tax base for the library to keep it financially secure. 

Supports 2-year paid tuition at West Kentucky Community and Technical College for Paducah/McCracken students.

Supported two-year paid tuition at West Kentucky Community and Technical College for Paducah/McCracken students.

Supports the development of public services such as the Paducah McCracken County Sports Complex, which broke ground in July 2024.

Plans to continue improving city development by hiring qualified staff and talent.

Advocates for hiring more qualified staff in city governance.

- Supported the county-wide expansion of the tax base for the library to keep it financially secure. 
- Supported two-year paid tuition at West Kentucky Community and Technical College for Paducah/McCracken students.
- Supports the development of public services such as the Paducah McCracken County Sports Complex, which broke ground in July 2024.
- Advocates for hiring more qualified staff in city governance.

Public Services

Believes in making long-term investments to address infrastructure challenges, such as stormwater management.

Supports making long-term investments to address infrastructure challenges, such as stormwater management.

Supports expanding riverport capabilities.

Supports expansion of riverport capabilities.

Supports reviewing city-owned facilities and creating a fund for upgrades and maintenance.

Supports expanding bike trails and lanes.

- Supports making long-term investments to address infrastructure challenges, such as stormwater management.
- Supports expansion of riverport capabilities.
- Supports reviewing city-owned facilities and creating a fund for upgrades and maintenance.
- Supports expanding bike trails and lanes.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Facebook

Robert "Buz' Smith

Believes citizens pay for a higher level of service.

Has worked for the Department of Energy at the gaseous diffusion plant as a strategic planner and program analyst.

Supports the creation of the Greenway Trail.

Supports revitalizing neighborhoods by demolishing eyesores and constructing new residential buildings.

Promises to honor the city’s history and legacy of Dr. Stuart Nelson by establishing a park named after him, and believes that once the park is established, hotel tax will be sufficient for its maintenance.

Supports neighborhood revitalization initiatives.

Supports city-wide redevelopment efforts.

Believes in utilizing existing infrastructure to create programs that encourage new home construction.

Plans to initiate construction and improvement incentives for the Southside area.

Plans to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of city-operated facilities.

Supports offering annexation incentives to attract new neighborhoods and businesses to the city.

Supports new riverfront improvements and development to attract large tourist excursions.

Supported new riverfront improvements and development.

Supports the removal of the "dilapidated Executive Inn."

Supported the removal of the Executive Inn.

Supports enhancing 911 capabilities and ensuring sustainable funding for 911 services.

Supported improvements to 911 capabilities.

Supports the hiring of diverse candidates, including the first minority Fire Chief.

As sheriff, eliminated “The Set” which was a crime ridden area south of the McCracken County jail.

As a commissioner, worked with fellow commissioners and county representatives to upgrade and fund the 911 system.

Supports the creation of the Joint Services Association (JSA) and served as a founding board member.

Supports city support for the construction and offering of the Murray State University extended campus and four-year programs.

Supports public services and amenities, such as the Maiden Alley Cinema.

Supports Brooks Stadium and serves on the board.

Mentored students at Paducah Middle School through the PALS program.

Supports serving on the Oak Grove Cemetery Board.

Served on the board of the Noble Park Baseball Association.

Supports addressing recreational and sports needs.

Served as chairperson of the Boy Scout troop committee, overseeing youth programs and activities.

Served on the West End Neighborhood Association Board of Directors.

Supports installing restrooms in downtown areas.

Supported installing restrooms in downtown areas.

Supports the creation of public parks, such as the Albert Jones Park.

Supports project-based stormwater management improvements, such as the completed Buckner Lane Bridge replacement.

Supports the $65 million project to boost the local economy and tourism.

Supports serving on the Telecommunications and Infrastructure Authority Board.

Supports the completion of the park, which is projected to generate $155 million in direct economic impact in its first five years.

Supports the development of a stormwater management system.

Supports the construction of a new riverfront development to boost economic development and tourism.

Wants to enhance Paducah's financial health to attract job seekers and potential residents.

Supports providing incentives to attract and expand barge line headquarters and jobs in southside Paducah.

- Supports the development of public services such as the Paducah McCracken County Sports Complex, which broke ground in July 2024.
- Advocates for hiring more qualified staff in city governance.

- Advocates for new housing that addresses the needs of young people, like smaller homes and condos.
- Supports initiatives to develop affordable housing and new housing growth in vacant lots, encouraging development that blends with neighborhood character.
- Supports strategic actions to revitalize the city, particularly the southside, by improving housing stock and addressing shortages to attract new residents.
- Advocates for hiring more qualified staff in city governance.
- Supports "running the city like a business."
- Supported new riverfront improvements and development.
- Supported the removal of the Executive Inn.

- As a commissioner, worked with fellow commissioners and county representatives to upgrade and fund the 911 system.

- Supported the county-wide expansion of the tax base for the library to keep it financially secure. 
- Supported installing restrooms in downtown areas.
- Supports the creation of public parks, such as the Albert Jones Park.
- Supported two-year paid tuition at West Kentucky Community and Technical College for Paducah/McCracken students.
- Supports the development of public services such as the Paducah McCracken County Sports Complex, which broke ground in July 2024.

- Supports making long-term investments to address infrastructure challenges, such as stormwater management.
- Supports expansion of riverport capabilities.
- Supports reviewing city-owned facilities and creating a fund for upgrades and maintenance.
- Supports providing incentives to attract and expand barge line headquarters and jobs in southside Paducah.
- Supports expanding bike trails and lanes.

Robert "Buz" Smith was born and raised in Paducah and has lived there his entire life. He attended the St. Mary School system, Paducah Community College, and Western Kentucky University. Smith is married to his wife, Janie, and they have raised their children in Paducah.

Robert "Buz" Smith worked for twenty-three years at US Foodservice and its predecessor companies as a sales manager. For the last sixteen years, he has been employed by the Department of Energy at the gaseous diffusion plant as a strategic planner and program analyst.

Robert "Buz" Smith has served on the Paducah City Commission for seven terms, including two terms as Mayor Pro-tem. He has also served on several boards, including the Telecommunications and Infrastructure Authority Board, Noble Park Baseball Association Board, Oak Grove Cemetery Board, West End Neighborhood Association Board of Directors, and Boy Scout Troop Committee Chair.

- Your city commission is made up of four elected city commissioners and a mayor. Together, they share the legislative and executive duties of the city government. In some cities, they also have administrative powers. 
- The city commission is responsible for the health, comfort, and safety of residents of the city 
- The city commission passes and enforces city laws, oversees all departments of the city government, and passes the city budget.
- Most cities in Kentucky hold nonpartisan elections for city officials. City commission members serve two-year terms and elections are held in even-numbered years. 