Hollander Highlights Council Budget Changes

June 21, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Hollander Highlights Council Budget Changes

Library, Living Room, Dare to Care, and Graffiti Abatement Receive Increased Funding

Following today’s Budget Committee meeting, Budget Chair Bill Hollander (D-9) released the following list of highlights of the amended budget:

• Preserves jobs at the Main Library and funds full staffing at the new Northeast Regional Library and the expansion of the St. Matthews Library. Requires Budget Committee approval of proposed renovations to the Main Library, including any changes to space utilization, staffing and services. ($265,000 increase in proposed budget to LFPL).

• Focuses on food insecurity issues by doubling proposed funding to Dare to Care for general operations to a total of $200,000, and more than tripling proposed funding to New Roots to $70,000 (an increase of $100,000 for Dare to Care and $50,000 to New Roots).

• Funds the Living Room program, diverting individuals from the jail and emergency rooms, at $1,000,000 and requires monthly reporting by Centerstone on usage and outcomes. ($350,000 increase in proposed budget).

• Doubles Metro’s graffiti abatement program run by Codes and Regulation, providing for additional vehicles and personnel to operate them, beginning in February 2019.

• Increases funding for the development of the new YMCA at 18^th & Broadway by $50,000, bringing the total to $300,000.

• Provides additional funding for Parks: $200,000 for Phase III of Charlie Vettiner Park; $75,000 to be matched by the Louisville Parks Foundation for soccer fields at William Harrison and Wyandotte Parks; and $50,000 for Quail Chase Golf Course.

• Increases funding for Waterfront Development Corporation by $50,000, bringing Metro’s contribution to Waterfront Park to $1,037,000, to address an operating deficit and to provide for increased restroom cleaning in the park.

• Allocates $1,000,000 for improvements at the Impound Lot (a reduction of $1,000,000 in the proposed amount due to timing issues on the need for the funds).

• Maintains other recommended funding for paving, sidewalk repair and construction, LMPD, the Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods, Heritage West, Parks, the Zoo and other projects and services.

• Funds increased pension and healthcare costs, with no layoffs of Metro employees and no increase in taxes.

The amended FY 19 Capital and Operating Budgets will be considered by the full Metro Council on Tuesday, June 26 at 6:00 pm.

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For Further Media Assistance Contact:

Aaron Horner 574-1296 / 396-0676

aaron.horner@louisvilleky.gov