District 11 eNews (September 3, 2021)

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Councilman Kramer Headshot

Metro Councilman Kevin Kramer

601 W. Jefferson Street
Louisville, KY 40202
502.574.1111
Kevin.Kramer@louisvilleky.gov
 

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Scott Harrington

 

Legislative Assistant
Phone: 502-574-3456 Scott.Harrington@louisvilleky.gov

In this issue:


Property tax rates drop in Louisville Metro

Property tax rates are dropping slightly for all Louisville residents, according to Metro Government’s Office of Management and Budget.

“Despite the impact of COVID-19, our economy is continuing its pre-virus momentum,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “A decrease in property tax rates is a tangible benefit for our citizens.”

This year, the countywide Metro real property tax rate will go from 13 cents per $100 assessed value to 12.89 cents, according to a property tax ordinance filed today with Metro Council. That change amounts to a $1.10 savings for every $100,000 of assessed property value.

The Urban Service District real property tax rate will move from 36.71 cents per $100 of AV to 35.46 cents per $100 of AV.  This equates to a decrease of $12.50 per $100,000 of property value.

“Ongoing growth in our local economy and the continued demand for real estate results in the growth in property values are the factors contributing to the downward movement in our property tax rates,” said Metro Chief Financial Officer Monica Harmon.

Property taxes fund approximately 25 percent of the city’s budget.

The proposed real property rate changes represent the allowable 4% growth on the existing property tax base under state House Bill 44 and do not require a general vote by the public.

The proposed rates are consistent with the FY22 budget adopted by the Metro Council in June, which increased the property tax revenue estimate from $157,030,000 to $163,350,000.

Metro residents have an opportunity to comment on the proposed property tax rates during a public hearing at noon on Thursday, Sept. 23 in room 106 at Metro Hall.

Once Metro Council approves the ordinance, the rates take effect on property tax bills released by the Sheriff in early November.


Blackacre Sunday sunset Music Series begins September 12th

Sunday sunset music series

https://visitblackacre.org/

Please click on the link below to see a promotional video for the Sunday Sunset Music Series:

https://youtu.be/h_n7FQsRvoA


WorldFest this weekend!

WorldFest

Friday, September 3-Monday, September 6 - The Belvedere: 141 N 6th St, Louisville, KY 40202

WorldFest celebrates its 19th anniversary with four days of world food, music, dance, culture, and education. Featuring:

  • Three entertainment stages showcasing international, national, regional, and local performers
  • Possibility City World Hub, a vendor village with nearly 150 international-themed arts, crafts, merchandise, and food booths
  • A Naturalization Ceremony swearing-in nearly 150 immigrants as United States Citizens
  • The WorldFest Global Village highlights cultures and customs from all over the world
  • A World of Information that informs citizens about area services for our international residents

"Cities that embrace and encourage their international citizens and cultures will thrive, have a stronger quality of life and will attract new growth and jobs,” Mayor Greg Fischer said. 'WorldFest is a great event for exploring and celebrating Louisville’s many faces and cultures and we always look to make it more vibrant, diverse, and educational. So, it’s exciting to add many new features and attractions to the WorldFest celebration this year.” With over 100 languages spoken in the Louisville public schools and 35 percent of the city’s population growth over the past 19 years coming from international residents from over 150 different countries throughout the world, Louisville is more culturally diverse than ever before.

Click Here for more information.


City announces launch of three pilot programs to improve staffing levels at Louisville Metro Corrections

Corrections Recruitment

Programs offer financial incentives to recruit and retain Corrections staff

Mayor Greg Fischer and Louisville Metro Department of Corrections (LMDC) Director Dwayne Clark today announced three pilot projects designed to boost recruitment and retention of LMDC sworn staff.

“While public safety staffing in general is a challenge right now, staffing at Corrections is especially challenging.  We must address this problem with urgency,” the Mayor said. “I appreciate LMDC leadership and the unions working together on this innovative approach to increase our staffing. The dedication of the men and women who serve the community as civilian and sworn staff at Corrections cannot be overstated.”

The three pilot projects were developed in partnership with unions representing LMDC civilian and sworn staff, represented by FOP Corrections Union Lodge 77 and AFSCME Local 2629:

  • The first pilot project will provide financial incentives to LMDC employees who refer a candidate for sworn staff employment at Corrections. The incentives will be staggered as the recruit moves from training to swearing in, with a potential total of $1,050.00. The staggered method, with incentives increasing as the candidate moves through the process, is also designed to encourage staff to mentor their recruits and to be invested in the recruit’s success.
  • The second pilot project provides a hiring incentive to new recruits of $2,000.00, with successful candidates receiving $1,000.00 when they are sworn in and another $1,000.00 when they complete a probationary period.
  • The third pilot project aims to improve retention among sworn and civilian LMDC staff. Eligible employees who continue their employment with Corrections can receive up to $2,000.00 in Fiscal Year 2022, which began July 1.  Eligible employees working today on Sept. 1, 2021, will receive $1,000.00.  All of those eligible employees who are still working on June 1, 2022, will receive an additional $1,000.00.

“These incentives are meant to acknowledge the difficult job our highly dedicated staff is doing at a challenging time,” said Director Clark, “while also giving them the ability to further invest in Corrections’ future, by bringing us good candidates who will be mentored for success.  We’re very excited about this.”

FOP President Daniel Johnson said: “FOP Lodge 77 is excited to announce these three new hiring and retention incentives, created in collaboration with the Mayor’s office.  We are hopeful this will be the first of many initiatives to address staffing at Louisville Metro Corrections.” 

All three pilot efforts are designed to work in conjunction with one another. For now, the year-long pilot projects will operate only at Corrections. If successful, they could serve as models for other Metro Government public service agencies. 

“One of our priorities is ensuring a qualified, quality and fairly compensated public safety team in our city,” the Mayor said. “We want Corrections employees to ‘sign on, stay on, and bring on’ quality candidates to better our Corrections team. Starting these pilot efforts within Corrections makes sense, given the critical staffing challenges there, but we’ll be monitoring the programs as we go, and if successful, will work to expand to other public safety agencies.”

If you would like to apply for a job with LMDC, please visit the department website at Louisville Corrections Careers | LouisvilleKY.gov.


Louisville Parks and Recreation vacancies

Metro Parks has a wide variety of positions available from entry level to management, including part-time throughout the department.

Thel also have Supervisor positions posted for California and Beechmont Community Centers. Of the thirteen community centers, eleven have vacancies. 

To apply, please visit:

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/louisvilleky?keywords=recreation&page=2


AT&T to host Retail Sales Hiring Event on September 8

AT&T Careers

District 11 Crime Reports

LMPD Logo

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.

Click here to check crime in the 6th & 7th Division.

Do you know how to prepare yourself and your home in the event of a crime? Visit our Safety & Initiatives webpage to learn important tips for staying safe! 

LMPD has a new way for you to map crime. Just click here and view the interactive crime mapping tool. Be sure to save it in your favorites to view crime updates anytime - it's updated daily.