Councilman Mulvihill on the Louisville Metro Budget
"It’s unfortunate that we are in this place needing to raise revenue due to the lack of funding of pensions for the last 20 years by Frankfort but we can’t risk losing 250 police officers and having fire stations shuttered and leaving our most vulnerable residents without the necessary social services to immediately help them and get such residents on a better path to improve their lives. We need to ensure that our children have all the opportunities for bright futures and that cannot be possible if we close libraries, parks, and community centers. Lastly, we need to protect our seniors and closing senior centers and failing to provide programming for them is simply untenable."
Louisville Metro has never increased a tax rate. It's been more than 25 years since either the old City or County governments increased a rate. Running an efficient government is a good thing but decreasing services to the extent needed to deal with this new pension bill from Frankfort is not good policy.
The proposed ordinance sets out the facts and the reasoning for the proposed increase:
(1) The Kentucky Retirement System (KRS) has left us with the unenviable position of having a 50 million dollar additional pension obligation in our annual budget to be paid over the next several years; (2) Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government cannot absorb this extraordinary expense without looking at new revenue or cutting existing services; (3) Metro wants to continue to provide services to its residents without sacrificing the quality and quantity of such services, from police and fire protection to emergency services, to road paving and infrastructure repair and improvements, community centers, libraries, affordable housing and parks, and the services provided in conjunction with our other government and nongovernment partners; (4) In order to keep the positive momentum in Louisville and ensure we meet the needs of our residents, Metro is forced to take the unprecedented position to raise revenue; (5) Metro cannot continue essential governmental operations with this pension obligation being handed down to us by KRS; and (6) We believe that an increase in the insurance premium tax is the most viable option for Metro to continue with the same level of services.
March 2 - Chat with Pat at Tim Tam
Councilman Mulvihill invites residents for a community conversation to discuss issues, including the budget, on March 2 starting at 8:30 a.m.
Thanks to Kenny Sullivan of Tim Tam, 1022 Clarks Lane, who has agreed to host this "Chat with Pat."
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MSD flood protection update
Update:
- Five of 16 pumping stations in service
- River has crested
- Reached 28.61 on the Upper today (30 is moderate flood stage)
- Nearly 60 on the Lower today (minor flood stage)
- River will recede over the next week
- No roadway floodwall closures installed
Comparison to last February/March
- Both the Upper and Lower gauges will be about 7 feet less than they were in 2018
Safety
- Avoid contact with flood waters
- Do not drive into a flooded roadway
- Wash with soap and water
- Call Center 502-540-6000
- LouisvilleMSD.org
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