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Budget Maintains Funding for Police, Improves Accountability, Supports Disadvantaged Populations and Invests in Paving |
Better than expected revenues, flexibility granted by the Federal Government to use COVID recovery funds, and cuts made during last year’s budget allowed the Louisville Metro Council to finalize a budget that meets the needs of our community while not taking funding from Metro’s “rainy day” fund.
This budget started in April, as a purported “continuation budget” that included some new programs and questionable spending. Two months and over 40 hours of hearings resulted in a budget that addresses many of our community’s needs while also continues our progress fixing streets, parks and libraries without relying on new taxes.
Some highlights include:
- No Cut to the LMPD Budget: The funding allocated will allow for the continued operating of LMPD at its current staffing levels while also seeking a new agreement between Louisville Metro and Churchill Downs to adequately reimburse the city for costs associated with police at Thurby, the Kentucky Oaks and Derby.
- Funding the continued use of LMPD’s ShotSpotter, additional police body cameras as well as new batteries for body cameras. The Metro Council also designated that funding go towards additional police training.
- Funding has been allocated to support a civilian review board as well as more than $1 million towards youth programs.
- Increasing the paving budget proposed by the Mayor from $5 million to $20 million. This will mark the sixth consecutive budget in which the Metro Council has funded road improvements at or above $15 million and is part of a 10-year plan to have all Metro roads rated as being in good condition.
- Allocating $21.2 million in CARES Act (Federal Funds) towards assisting programs meant to reduce evictions and assist with rent payments.
- Allocating $21.2 million from the CARES Act (Federal Funds) to Small Business assistance.
- Keeping the Belle of Louisville afloat through an additional $528,000 for operating expenses and $700,000 for a required dry-dock inspection.
- Investing $500,000 towards the opening of a new Library in Middletown.
- Allocating COVID funds towards the hiring of staff to conduct needed testing, contact tracing and other matters.
- Dedicating an additional $5 million to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to bring the total FY21 investment to $10 million. The additional funds will be focused on improving homeownership.
Funding was also added to assist with home repair as well as the development of businesses in economically disadvantaged areas of Louisville Metro.
Despite much of the division portrayed on television, I am proud to say that this year’s budget process was probably one of the most cooperative and focused since joining the Council. The near unanimous passage of this budget, as well as our cumulative support for addressing infrastructure and economic opportunity, establishes long-term plans that, if followed, will lead to community-wide improvements.
Thank you for your continued interest in the budget and our hearings. If you have questions about the FY21 budget or anything else in Metro Government, please know that I am more than happy to listen.
One of the issues I have been pushing for since joining the Metro Council has been investing more in our infrastructure. I believe local government should first focus on the basics: Safety, Infrastructure and Health.. Since taking office I have spent most of the discretionary funds allocated to my office on paving roads, upgrading parks, repairing sidewalks and enhancing safety. Unfortunately, this discretionary funding was only enough for a few streets each year. In 2015 we were able to establish enough support on the Metro Council to move our paving budget from under $5 million annually to approximately $20 million dollars.
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In addition to increasing funding for paving, we developed a ten-year plan that, if followed would bring our streets up to standard within that timeframe. I am happy to announce that our current budget marks the sixth consecutive year in which we have achieved that goal. Despite tough economic times, we were able to increase the Mayor’s recommended paving budget from $5 to $20 million dollars. This increase will impact all parts of our community and will help to keep us all moving as our economy continues to open back up.
In addition to investing in paving, the Metro Council was also able to restore needed funding for fixing sidewalks, maintaining our parks and mowing rights-of-way. These types of investments may not be the most fun things, but they do make everyone’s lives run a little smoother and help to spur more efficient and safe transit for just about everyone.
The application will open for Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grants on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, and more details will be provided on that date. Applicants must have a business located within Louisville/Jefferson County. At least 50 percent of the funds will be spent in low-to-moderate income census tracts.
Purpose of the Fund
The Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grants program is designed to help prevent business closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to preserve the hundreds of fun and funky businesses that make Louisville unique.
Grant Program Funding
Louisville Metro Government’s FY21 operating budget includes up to $21 million in federal CARES funding for Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grants.
Amount of Grants
The program will provide eligible businesses with grants up to $50,000 based on demonstrated impact from COVID-19.
Eligible Business Criteria
Businesses meeting the following criteria will be eligible for a grant:
- Businesses with 20 full-time employees or fewer as of March 16, 2020
- Non-retail businesses with 50 full-time employees or fewer that have remained closed or whose business activity have been severely restricted under state executive order dated March 25, 2020
- Businesses that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic
- Businesses must be located in Louisville/Jefferson County
- Businesses must be in good standing with Louisville Metro Revenue Commission
Industries of focus include retail (including direct services), food service, arts & entertainment, recreation, and childcare.
Grant Use
The funds may only be used for the following business expenses:
- Payroll
- Utilities
- Lease/mortgage assistance
- Fixed cost support – to include debt service (interest only), business insurance, other fixed costs
- Technology for online platform to allow online sales
Herman, MALE DOG
Herman is a big old cuddle bug who’s absolutely positive he’s a lap dog. The approximately one-year-old Mastiff weighs 146lbs. There is nothing Herman loves more than cuddling with whomever is available. He has never met a stranger and loves everyone he meets, especially kids. Chasing tennis balls and children around the backyard are a couple of his favorite things to do - but only for a while, and then he is ready for more cuddles and naps. Herman enjoys car rides and walks, but is still working on how to walk on a leash without pulling and basic manners. Herman is housebroken! Adopt this handsome boy for free with an approved application, thanks to the Pay It Forward Program. Herman is already neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. Meet him at Animal House Adoption Center, open daily from 12-6pm. For more information about Herman, email animalservicesadoption@louisvilleky.gov. |
Peaches, FEMALE CAT
Peaches and her friends are the newest group of kittens to graduate from foster to adoptable. It’s kitten season and we have plenty of fur babies who will need good homes. Adopt any kitten by making a $100 donation to the Pay It Forward Program. Spay/neuter, vaccinations and microchip are included! Lulu is approximately 3-month-old Tabby who weighs just 2lbs. Peaches is a friendly cat who received plenty of socialization during her time in a foster home. Meet her at Animal House Adoption Center, located at 3516 Newburg Road, open daily from 12-6pm. For more info about Peaches, email animalservicesadoption@louisvilleky.gov, or call 502-473-PETS
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If you receive an email from Amazon that asks you to open an attachment to review your account information, don’t open the attachment. It’s a scam! You are asked to verify billing information. If you are concerned, go directly to your Amazon login instead!
If you begin to receive unordered merchandise, it could be an Amazon “Brushing” Scam. The scam companies, usually foreign, third-party sellers, stole your Amazon account information. They send the items, then post a fake, positive review to improve their products’ ratings, using you as a verified customer. This means more sales for them!
Beware of Fake Job Scams! A local consumer told us she saw a Facebook post about a stay-at- home job. She had to download a hangouts app. The person interviewed her, then asked for bank account information, and account username and password to be hired.
Mobile payment apps can be a convenient way to send and receive money, but they are also a great way for scammers to steal your money. If you get an unexpected email or text message that asks you to send money, don’t click on any links. Go to your app directly to see if there are any requests. It’s always best to use these apps to send money to people you know and trust.
Fake Insurance Agents are using high-pressure sales tactics over the phone, offering to insure consumers against getting coronavirus. If you get a call offering this type of protection, it's likely fake. Never buy a product peddled via unsolicited calls without checking out the company first. Go to bbb.org.
There is an uptick in online extortion scams due to more people staying home, due to COVID. The scammers blackmail you into giving them money by claiming they have hacked your computer, activated your webcam, and videoed you while you watched pornography (whether you did or not!). They threaten to send the images, videos and screenshots to stolen contacts if a payment isn’t made.
Scammers are cashing in on the demand for COVID-19 tests. If you receive a robocall or are directed to a website that looks like a medical supply company offering the at-home tests, beware. Some even promise results available in 10 minutes. To get a test, all you need to do is complete a form, and/or enter your credit card details. Talk to your doctor instead.
If you receive a call saying you may qualify for loan forgiveness through a stimulus package, hang up! A local consumer says the scammer told him he qualified for student loan forgiveness, then asked for his credit card number to charge $199 for 6 months then $49 for another 6 months. Once that was done, they said he would receive a $0 balance on his federal student loan. This is a scam!
A local consumer received an automated call from the Social Security office, saying his social security number was being revoked. When a live person got on the phone, and wanted personal information, the consumer asked questions and the scammer got irritated, saying, “he would send police to arrest him.”
If you get a call or letter saying your new car warranty is about to expire and it offers you an “extended warranty,” use caution. Car warranty scams trick consumers into believing the calls were from their vehicle manufacturer or car dealer, and get them to buy a vehicle service contract. Those who purchase the contracts find out the coverage was far less than what was represented.
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Always Remember to Lock Your Car and Remove All Valuables, it's the Easiest Way to Prevent Crime
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CLICK HERE to view LMPD's interactive crime mapping tool.
If you see crime occurring, please contact the Louisville Metro Police Department. Call 911 for emergencies. Call 502-574-7111 for non-emergency related help or to find a towed vehicle.
Call 574-LMPD to report crime tips. |
