LOUISVILLE, Ky. — On Tuesday, the Metro Council Budget Committee approved several amendments to the mayor's proposed budget. It now heads to the full council for final approval.
According to a news release, the committee hosted more than 36 hours of budget and public hearings.
"The Committee has worked hard to create a fair and balanced budget that addresses the pressing needs of the entire community. While the budget isn’t perfect, it is a good collaborative effort between the Administration, the Budget Committee, and the entire Council,” said Budget Committee Chair Rick Blackwell (D-12).
While $3 million was set aside for the St. Stephen Family Life Center in the amended budget, the organization said it will reject the money.
Mayor Craig Greenberg originally set aside $5 million to go toward the Life Center, but Metro Council cut the funding down to $3 million. They had planned on building a new community center and gym with the $5 million, and would have needed to raise an additional $6 million for the project.
Because of that cut in funds, the center had to halt its plans for the new gym.
Here are the areas where additional money was approved.
Houselessness
An additional $3 million is going to the Goodwill Opportunity Campus in the Parkland neighborhood.
Goodwill's Another Way program is getting another $200,000 to help expand the program so it can provide opportunities for unhoused people to gain job skills and compensation for their work according to the release.
The Volunteers of America Unity House will receive another $200,000; the organization provides care and goal setting with families facing houselessness.
An additional $200,000 will go towards houseless outreach outside the Watterson Expressway.
Infrastructure
This amendment adds $4 million to the fund devoted to repaving, making the total $30 million. Another $1 million was allocated to specifically improving alleys.
They increased the funding for fixing bridges and roads by $1.5 million and appropriated $1.8 million for sidewalk changes on Alberta Jones, Ward Avenue, Shelbyville Road and Beckley Station.
Parks and Recreation
Nearly $5 million is dedicated to maintenance recommended in the Parks for All Plan. Elliot Park and Jefferson Memorial Forest will each get over a million dollars for continued improvements.
An estimated $1.5 million will go towards the implementation of the Kentucky Street Master Plan, and the California Park & Community Center will get a million dollars to go towards improvements.
Pools
The Algonquin and Camp Taylor pools will have increased funding by $3.1 million.
The money will help with "significant enhancements to both pools."
The amendments did not add additional debt above the mayor's proposed budget according to the release.
Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android users.
Have a news tip? Email assign@whas11.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.