LOUISVILLE, Ky. — An eastern Jefferson County neighborhood is petitioning to form their own city, which would allow the community to redirect some taxpayer money to go exclusively to Eastwood services.
The Eastwood Incorporation Committee is holding a series of meetings this summer to answer residents' questions about the petition to build a "Home Rule City."
If passed, residents would pay an extra tax in addition to Jefferson County taxes. The committee chairman, Bob Federico, said residents will benefit greatly, with just a small tax increase.
"Initially people think, 'oh it's just another tax,'" he said. "You have to take a step back and ask yourself what you're getting today for your tax money and what are you going to get if you pay a little bit more."
The owner of a $400,000 home would pay an additional $536 per year.
The city-status would allow the area to have more control over residential planning and zoning, a police force separate from Metro Louisville and a smaller government structure.
Mayor Craig Greenberg's office is against the incorporation effort.
"Our administration is committed to uniting Louisville as one city. Further dividing the city will only create more overlap, more confusion, and more taxes for Eastwood residents. This will also make it more difficult for Metro Government to deliver much needed services to every part of Louisville," said Kevin Trager, the communications director for Greenberg, in a statement.
If Eastwood were to incorporate, it would be the first in two decades in Jefferson County. In fact, small city incorporation stopped after the city-county merger in 2003. But, Kentucky Republicans passed a new law that gives neighborhoods with over 6,000 residents a chance to draw city boundaries.
Eastwood is in eastern Jefferson County and home to 15,000 people. For the petition to pass, Federico said about 7,500 people -- nearly half the Eastwood population -- have to sign.
The petition has already started rolling out to homeowners, but with no official deadline. The committee is hoping that signatures enter the verification process by Metro Council by November.