LOUISVILLE, Ky. — In a 22-1 vote, Louisville's Metro Council approved next fiscal year's Operating Budget, and council members unanimously approved next fiscal year's Capital Budget on Thursday.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg first presented his budget in April 2024; since then, the Metro Council budget committee has held several meetings to receive input about the budget.
According to a news release from Louisville Metro Council, it addresses the city's needs without adding additional debt above Greenberg's recommended budget.
"This budget makes key investments to reduce crime, build more affordable housing, help end family and youth homelessness, and spur new economic development and job creation," he said in a statement to WHAS11 News. "Metro Council’s strong support is a reflection of our close collaboration, and I am grateful for their shared commitment to making Louisville a safer, stronger, and healthier city."
Here's a breakdown of where the money is going.
Public Safety
The budget has a heavy emphasis on public safety, with nearly half the more than $1 billion budget going to Louisville Fire, Louisville Emergency Metro Services (EMS) and the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD).
Additionally, $375,000 will be allocated for any costs that have to do with the Department of Justice consent decree, and $4 million will go towards a new police helicopter.
Another $5 million will help fund opioid-related initiatives, while $800,000 will go to the Louisville Fire Department for repairs, and $2 million will help repair Louisville Metro Corrections.
LMPD will also receive funding to increase officer recruitment and to invest in license plate readers for officers according to Metro Council.
Infrastructure
Metro Council members approved increasing the recommended street paving portion of the budget to $30 million.
The budget also allocated $1 million for alley paving and $2 million for sidewalk repairs. An additional $4.4 million is set aside for vehicles and other equipment for Metro Public Works.
Metro Council members also set aside money for enhancing street and road safety throughout Louisville.
Parks and Recreation
The budget allocated more money to maintenance costs within the parks, bringing the total to $2.9 million.
Almost $2 million will go towards new equipment, staffing the Playtorium Community Center, starting a Park Ranger pilot program and reopening the Baxter Community Center according to Metro Council. Additional funding will go towards reopening and staffing the Algonquin and Camp Taylor pools in 2025.
Councilmembers did amend the budget to include money for park improvements at Jefferson Memorial Forest, Windsor Park, Farnsley Moorman Historic Home and Hayes Kennedy Park.
Affordable Housing
A total of $25 million will go towards affordable housing initiatives; $15 million will go towards the Louisville Affordable Housing Trust Fund and $4.9 will be set aside for low-income permanent housing according to the Metro Council. About $834,000 will go to the Volunteers of America Unity House.
The mayor has previously said he wants the city to create and preserve 15,000 units by 2027.
Councilmembers requested Greenberg's administration study how taxpayer money is used to address houselessness in the Metro.
Additional projects
- Parkland and Portland libraries
- Thrive by Five Louisville, $5 million
- Belvedere, $10 million
- Restores funding to Jefferson County Soil & Water Conservation District, $113,200
- Restores funding to Jefferson County Cooperative Extension District, $182,500
- Louisville Community Ministries, increased to $1.4 million
- Dare to Care, increased to $400,000
- Russell: A Place of Promise, increased to $100,000
- NEW Economic Development District, $1.5 million
- Center for the Arts program HeARTS, $400,000
- House of Ruth, $851,300
- Metro United Way’s Youth Success Network, $150,000
Read the mayor's full statement below:
“I want to thank Metro Council for approving next year’s budget with overwhelming, bipartisan support. This budget makes key investments to reduce crime, build more affordable housing, help end family and youth homelessness, and spur new economic development and job creation.
It builds on our historic investments from the Kentucky General Assembly with a $5 million down payment on Thrive by Five, the new nonprofit we created to make free universal early education for every 3- and 4-year-old a reality. And it provides millions more for investments in our downtown and parks to also leverage the State’s recent investments.
Metro Council’s strong support is a reflection of our close collaboration, and I am grateful for their shared commitment to making Louisville a safer, stronger, and healthier city.”
The budget will be available to the public after Aug. 1 here.
The 2024 fiscal year ends on June 30.
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