TARC introduced a new fare system this week, making riding public transit in the region easier than ever.

Riders tap their MyTARC cards onto the fare box on board each bus. The proper fare will be deducted automatically, and the card balance will be displayed on a fare box screen.

Riders can also view transactions, ridership history and add value or purchase passes after registering their card at mytarc.ridetarc.org.

Customers can load a maximum of $50 onto their MyTARC card online or up to $20 at the fare box on a bus.

More information about the new system is in this Courier-Journal story - https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/2019/01/07/louisville-bus-tarc-launches-electronic-fare-system/2490934002/ - and at TARC’s website: https://www.ridetarc.org/fares/mytarc-fare-structure-and-faqs/.

The Clifton Heights Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Basin, between Drescher Bridge and Mellwood Avenues, is operational, keeping raw sewage out of Beargrass Creek and the Ohio River. Work on the basin was substantially completed on December 21, 2018, when MSD Operations assumed operation and control of the facility.  Site work continues in the area.

This underground covered basin will offer the public and Beargrass Creek protection from combined sewer overflows during periods of wet weather. It will capture seven million gallons of combined sewer overflow, in an average rainfall year, retain the mixture of rainwater and sewage until the rain subsides and capacity is available for treatment, then gradually release it back into the sewer system. Underground storage is part of MSD's larger endeavor to prevent sewage from overflowing into Louisville's waterways.

Construction of the basin and lines running from it have had major impacts on roads in the area over the last several years. Nearby properties also felt blasting as the basin was being constructed. MSD thanks everyone for their cooperation.

We’d like to feature your sustainability story - a resident or business doing good things for the environment.  Riding the bus, bicycling, walking, gardening and more - our eNews will feature practices which can benefit all of us.  Send your story to Bill Hollander or Kyle Ethridge.

You have two more weeks before yard waste pickup is suspended for the winter! 

Louisville Metro Solid Waste Management will be suspending the collection of yard waste in the Urban Services District (USD) beginning on January 21 through April 1, 2019 (the end date is new, changed since our last eNews). While individuals may request collection as needed during this time through MetroCall at 574-5000, please plan to set out your yard waste – including Christmas trees – BEFORE January 19.

Metro Public Works is providing curbside pickup of Christmas trees within the Urban Services District (the old City of Louisville boundaries) until yard waste pickup is suspended for the winter. Residents with City curbside yard waste pickup may set their Christmas trees and greenery out on their regular collection day. Trees must not be in plastic bags, and all decorations and lights must be removed. With yard waste collection suspended after January 18, don’t delay!

In St. Matthews, trees can be set out by the street on your regularly scheduled trash day.

Residents normally serviced by private waste haulers should check with those companies to see whether and when tree pickup is available.

Drop-off Christmas tree service is also available for all Louisville/Jefferson County residents at 636 Meriwether Avenue through January 31.

DROP OFF LOCATION from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

• Waste Reduction Center - 636 Meriwether Avenue through January 31

The process to apply for the External Agency Fund for FY20 (July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020) is now open. These grants funded through the city’s general fund are awarded to non-governmental, or "external” agencies, that contribute to the city's cultural, social and economic vitality.

A summary of the application process is as follows with more details listed below:

• Applications are now posted online for review at https://louisvilleky.gov/government/external-agency-fund.
• All applicants are required to attend a mandatory application orientation on Thursday, January 10 or view a recording of the session on the External Agency Fund (EAF) website at https://louisvilleky.gov/government/external-agency-fund by close of business on Monday, January 14.
• Applications may be submitted following the mandatory application orientation up until Fri, Feb. 8 at 5 p.m.

All agencies wishing to submit an application are required to have at least one representative participate in a mandatory application orientation. The orientation will be held on Thursday, January 10 with two session options: one from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. and one from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. Both sessions will take place at the South Central Regional Library located at 7300 Jefferson Blvd. It is only necessary for a representative to attend one of the sessions and no RSVP is required.

The competitive grants are available for Social Services programs, administered by the Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services (RCS), and for Arts and Creative Industries programs, administered by Louisville Forward. The External Agency Funds are awarded annually to non-profit organizations offering programs or services in Louisville/Jefferson County that align with the Mayor's and departments' strategic goals.

For more information about EAF, and to access the EAF applications and guidelines, visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/external-agency-fund.

Please submit all questions to EAF@louisvilleky.gov.  

The annual program that helps prevent low income residents of Louisville from being disconnected from utility services began on Monday.

LIHEAP, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, is administered by Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services. The Crisis Component of LIHEAP will run through March 29, or until available funds have been expended, whichever comes first.

This year’s Crisis Program once again features expanded eligibility allowing residents who received a utility bill with a past due amount to apply, in addition to continuing to serve those who received a disconnect notice.

Residents wishing to apply must make an appointment in advance utilizing the automated appointment system. The toll free service is available twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.

Appointments can be scheduled by phone by calling 502-991-8391 or online at louisvilleky.cascheduler.com.

Applicants must be Jefferson County residents with a household income at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. Read more details here.