LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg was all smiles on Monday morning when announcing a majority of the city's surplus is going toward emergency services.
That surplus is $16 million for what the mayor called, "public safety."
Five million dollars would go toward purchasing 3 engines and 1 truck for the fire department.
Engine 20 would get a first-floor remodel for a proposed $650,000.
Engine 17 would get $335,000 for building and parking lot updates.
Quint 7 would get $50,000 for a driveway to the rear of their building. EMS has been allocated $1.5 million for a radio shop expansion. The shop services all emergency services vehicles before and after they're on the road. The LMPD is slated to get $1 million for cameras.
"We need more police officers, and this will make that happen," Greenberg said.
He said the city purchases 100 police vehicles per year but now with this funding officials can purchase more and expand the radio shop.
"We can get more vehicles equipped and, on the streets, faster keeping more people safe," Greenberg said.
Louisville Fire Chief Brian O'Neill expressed excitement about updating many of his engines. Nine of them are more than 20 years old and said they want to ensure having the necessary equipment for years to come.
Jeff Taylor, who is the president of the Louisville Fire Union, is happy changes are finally coming but said it will take a couple of years to see the changes.
"These engines that are 22 years old now, they will be twenty-five by the time we get this new equipment, so it's necessary," Taylor said.
Other projects expected to get money is the St. Anthony Church sidewalk, Cedar Creek Extension, and the Arnold Palmer roundabout.
Greenberg said there is still $1.4 million in surplus funds that still needs to be allocated.
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