City Government

Form of Government
City Officials:
Tom Watson, Mayor
Bob Whitmer, City Manager
Al Mattingly, Mayor Pro-Tem
Candance Brake, Commissioner
David Johnson, Commissioner
Cathy Armour, Commissioner

Form of Government 

The City of Owensboro operates under a City Manager form of Government. This form of government was first instituted in Owensboro on January 1, 1954, as a result of a referendum approved by the people in the 1952 November election.

Under this form of government the people of Owensboro elect a Mayor and four Commissioners, who together, make up the Board of Commissioners, which possesses the legislative and executive powers of the city. Administrative powers are vested in the City Manager who is appointed by a majority vote of the Board of Commissioners for an indefinite term.

The Mayor, as a member of the Board, presides over all meetings, calls special meetings, and executes all bonds, notes, contracts, and written obligations authorized by the board. The City Manager is the chief administrative officer of the city and exercises the executive powers and functions delegated by ordinance and statute.

Legislative Body (Board of Commissioners)

The Mayor and four commissioners are elected by the citizens to act as their representatives in all legislative matters. Their primary duties are to enact ordinances and make polices that are for the ultimate good of the community as a whole. The mayor is elected for a four-year term and the Commissioners are elected for two-year terms. In cities of the second class with the City Manager form of government, non-partisan elections are mandatory.

The City Commissioner, the legislative and policy making body of the City, is comprised of five citizens elected at large for a two-year term except for the Mayor, who is elected for a four-year. The Mayor serves as the presiding officer at official meetings and as ceremonial head of the City.

Under the City Manager form of Government, the City Commission, as representatives of the people, determines the goals and objectives of the City and policies that shall be followed in attaining those goals and objectives.

The Commission appoints a City Manager who is responsible for carrying out its established policies as well as the efficient administration of City activities. The City Commission also appoints a City Attorney who provides legal assistance to the City Commission, City Manager and department managers, and represents the City of Owensboro in legal matters. The City Commission also appoints a City Clerk who provides administrative assistance to the City Commission and City Manager. The Clerk is responsible for the maintenance and safekeeping of the permanent records of the City and performs such other duties and responsibilities as required by law. The City Commission conducts its business in public sessions that are held at City Hall, Commission Chambers, Fourth Floor, the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m.

Return to top

City Officials

Mayor: Tom Watson

Mayor Tom Watson was sworn in January 5, 2005

He trained at Northwestern University Prosthetic & Orthotic Center at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and is a Board Certified Prosthetist certified by the American Board of Certification in Prosthetics and Orthotics.

Mayor Watson has thirty years experience in orthotics and prosthetics and is the owner of Tom Watson's Prosthetic and Orthotic Lab, Inc., with offices in Owensboro and Evansville, Indiana. His corporation is nationally recognized and is one of five beta testing sites for CAD Tracer system for prosthetics and orthotics. It also works in alliance with similar institutions in Europe.

His experience in civic areas has covered youth sports in baseball and football as well as paraprofessional coaching duties at Owensboro Catholic High School and Kentucky Wesleyan College.

Mayor Watson has served as chair of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce and is a past board member of Industry, Inc., Owensboro Medical Health System; he currently volunteers at the Daniel Pitino Shelter.

He is a past president of American Orthotics and Prosthetics Association, and currently serves as co-chair of O & P PAC. He works personally with the AOPA Veteran's Affairs committee and is a grass root lobbyist for the orthotic and prosthetic industry.
 

Return to top
 

City Manager Bob Whitmer

Bob Whitmer was selected by the City Commission of Owensboro, Kentucky, as City Manager in August, 2003. He worked as Assistant City Manager from 1992 until his City Manager appointment. Previously Bob served as Director of Human Resources for David Hocker & Associates from 1988 until 1992 and from 1988 to 1992 as Personnel Assistant for the City of Owensboro. From 1981 to 1985, Bob also worked at Green River Steel in various supervisory positions. He taught math and coached at Owensboro High School and Daviess County High School for five years as he began his career out of college.

Bob is a Credentialed Manager of the International City Management Association. He graduated from Owensboro High School in 1971 and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Applied Mathematics from Centre College.

He has been very involved in the community serving on several boards, including numerous volunteer positions with the United Way. Bob has always been active in athletics and coaching.

Bob and his wife, Cindy, have two sons, Bobby Lee and John Wesley.

Return to top

Mayor Pro-Tem Al Mattingly

Al Mattingly, Jr. returned to the Owensboro City Commission in 2007 following a first place finish in the Commission election.

The oldest of Alfred S. and Commie Marie Mattingly’s twelve children, Al was born May 23, 1947. He graduated from Owensboro Catholic High School in 1965 and received a BA degree in Biology from Brescia College in 1969. Al served in the United States Army from 1969 until 1972.

Al and his wife, Judy (Wolfe), were married in 1971 and have one son, Will.

Al has been active in the community all his life through his church, Our Lady of Lourdes, as well as various civic and professional organizations. He currently serves on the Board of St. Joseph’s Peace Mission, Misas, The Botanical Gardens, Mount Saint Joseph and Citizens Health Care Advocates. He is the Governor’s appointee to the board of Housing, Building and Construction representing the KAPHCC. He serves as President of the family-owned plumbing, heating and cooling business.

Return to top
 

Commissioner Candance Brake

Candance Brake is a native of Owensboro, Kentucky. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Brescia College and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Western Kentucky University where she was a graduate assistant compiling research for a text on American Public Policy.

Candance served for 6 years as Deputy Judge/Executive in Daviess County. In this role she administered operations and personnel for an organization with 150 employees and a $35 million budget. She also acted as chief of staff for the judge/executive. She worked in this role under both Democratic and Republican administrations.

Candance served as the Executive Vice-President of the Chamber of Commerce. She was responsible for general operations of the Chamber including budget and staff oversight. She was also responsible for creating and developing a long-term strategy that attempts to achieve the goals and objectives as set forth by the Chamber Board of Directors. She was focused on fulfilling our community’s economic development vision as well as creating a highly trained, highly skilled workforce of today and of the future.

In November 2004, Candance was the second highest vote getter in the Owensboro City Commission General Election. She was appointed to the commission in November 2004 to fill the seat vacated by Commissioner Jim Wood.

Candance has served on numerous boards both of social and community and economic development concerns. Those include Skills, Inc., RiverPark Center, the United Way, Girls, Inc., The Chamber of Commerce, Citizens Committee on Education, RiverPark Center, AirPark Committee and the Airpark Development Review Board. She is a Leadership Owensboro Graduate Class of 1996, a member of Owensboro Rotary and was a member of the Brescia College Board of Trustees where she was President of the Alumni Association.
 

Return to top

Commissioner David Johnson

David L. Johnson, 40, currently serves as Director of Pupil Personnel for the Owensboro Public Schools. This year marks his 18th year in the Owensboro Public Schools. He taught Political Science and coached football for eight years; served as the social studies department chair for three years; worked as a secondary curriculum specialist for four years; principal at Owensboro Middle School; and held the position of Director of Pupil Personnel for the last five years.

David received his B.A. from the University of Kentucky; a Masters in Educational Leadership; a Rank I in Administrative Leadership; and has been accepted in the Western Kentucky/University of Louisville Doctoral Cooperative Program.

He has served on various local boards… Executive Committee of the Regional Alliance; the Owensboro Area Museum Board of Directors; the Mayor’s Crime Prevention Commission; KY-ASAP Board; DJJ Crime Prevention Regional Board; the Owensboro Day Treatment Board; the United Way Campaign Board; President of the 3rd Region Kentucky Association of School Administrators; and as President of the 3rd Region Directors of Pupil Personnel.

David is a 1984 graduate of Owensboro High School. His is the son of Bob and Del Johnson. He and his wife, Danna McEnroe Johnson, have been married for thirteen years.

Return to top

Commissioner Cathy Armour

Cathy Armour brings a diversified background to the Commission. As a retired business owner in Owensboro’s downtown, after 30 years in farming and agriculture, she is acutely aware of our economic development needs. Having been a teacher in the public school system Cathy understands the correlation between education and prosperity.

Commissioner Armour has served on a number of boards and committees. These include Owensboro Medical Health System Foundation, Downtown Owensboro, Inc. Board, American Cancer Society Board, Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce Board, Small Business Committee, Legislative Committee and Contact Club. She has been a Boulware Mission volunteer and advocate for many years.

While this was Cathy’s first race for an elected position, she has spent 25 years working to put others in office – both Republicans and Democrats. The governing process at every level is important to her, and she believes supporting candidates who believe in makes a difference.

Cathy holds a Masters Degree in Counseling and a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Western Kentucky University. She does ongoing Doctoral Work in Counseling with Trinity Theological Seminary. She believes strongly in and is a living example of lifelong learning.

Cathy and her husband Randy oversee Peace in the Valley Foundation, Inc., a non-denominational Christian organization that raises funds for local charities.

Return to top