Metro Council reflects on accomplishments made in 2021
Highlights include budgeting more money for public safety initiatives, pandemic relief
Louisville – As yet another difficult year comes to a close, Metro Council members reflect on the accomplishments of 2021 and look ahead to what’s in store for 2022.
The COVID-19 pandemic continued to grip the Louisville community throughout 2021. Metro Council is responsible for the city’s budget, and many of the priorities this past year revolved around public safety, public health, and addressing serious impacts from the pandemic. The Council also hosted dozens of public comment sessions to involve the community and special discussions to hold city leaders accountable.
“I’m very proud of the work of the Metro Council this past year. We didn’t let the pandemic stop our efforts to make this city safer and healthier. The Council pulled together and worked very hard to make Louisville better for all of its citizens. And that’s exactly what we’ll keep doing in 2022,” said Metro Council President David James (D-6).
The estimated total funds available in the FY 2022 budget topped $735 million, which included 3.8% forecasted growth in payroll taxes and 4.7% forecasted growth in corporate profit taxes. Council members used the improved revenue forecast to make additional investments in public safety, violence prevention, libraries, parks, infrastructure, and deferred maintenance.
On top of the annual budget, the city of Louisville received $342 million in a second round of American Rescue Plan funds. Some of the top priorities identified for using this unprecedented amount of money to help the city recover from the pandemic included: homelessness and affordable housing, workforce development and small business support, healthy Louisville and healthy neighborhoods, public safety, and childcare. By the end of 2021, $187.2 million has been allocated. Distributing the remaining funds will be a top priority in 2022.
“I am excited to see the investments we made in 2021 start to bear fruit in the coming year. From historic investments in public safety and affordable housing to innovate programs around deflection and panhandling, we have funded the areas of top concern to our residents. As these programs begin to move from idea to implementation, I am confident we will see a noticeable impact on our community,” said Metro Council Majority Caucus Chair Markus Winkler (D-17).
“A bi-partisan group of the Metro Council has worked hard to push for both greater accountability as well as more effective use of technology for improving public safety. We were able to push for greater investments in our public safety personnel as well as more training and resources. We also funded additional investments into libraries including Middletown, Portland and Fern Creek and we increased funding for infrastructure like sidewalk paving to improve our built environment,” said Metro Council Minority Caucus Chair Anthony Piagentini (R-19).
Here are some highlighted accomplishments in 2021:
Budget
- Office of Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods: $4.5 million
- 911 Deflection Pilot Project: $2.9 million
- Group Violence Intervention initiatives: $550,000
- Pay raises, hiring incentives: detailed below
- Street paving: $20 million
- Sidewalk repairs: $2 million
- Bridge work: $2 million
- Goodwill Industries of Kentucky’s Another Way program: $279,400
- Evolve502: $3 million
- Waterfront Development Phase IV: $8 million
- Parks for All Equitable Investment Plan: $200,000
- Portland Library renovations: $2 million
- Fern Creek Library Phase 1: $1 million
- Deferred maintenance: $3.3 million
- Mid-year budget adjustment: $20 million
American Rescue Plan Funds
- Affordable housing programs and services: $89 million
- Premium Pay: $28.3 million
- Public health COVID-19 response: $12.5 million
- Compliance and reporting: $10 million
- Public safety reforms: $17.5 million
- Violence deterrence and prevention: $15.8 million
- Juvenile Assessment Center: $3 million
- Everytown USA Data Fellow matching grant: $117,000
- Family Recovery Court: $200,000
- LMPD technology: $6 million
- Public safety hiring incentives: $4.8 million
Public Safety
Metro Council carved out significant funding to support initiatives that are expected to help prevent violence and improve public safety. The budget included money to add five more ShotSpotter circumference miles in the California and Park Hill neighborhoods. It also designated $4.5 million for the Office of Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods, along with $1 million each to the Office of Youth Development and the Office of Resilience and Community Services. In addition, Metro Council budgeted $2.9 million for a pilot 911 Prioritization and Deflection Project, $550,00 for the Group Violence Intervention project, and $15.8 million in ARP funding to even more violence deterrence and prevention initiatives.
Affordable Housing
The pandemic highlighted the serious need in Louisville for more affordable housing options and warp-around services for the community. Metro Council used the budget to support efforts like the Another Way program, which expands the Goodwill Industries of Kentucky pilot program to a county-wide effort.
The Council also allocated $89 million in ARP funding to support affordable housing programs and services for those experiencing homelessness. In addition to permanent supportive housing, the funding will create and preserve affordable rental units throughout the community. The housing package also includes $8 million for down payment assistance for first time homeowners and for a home repair program.
Pay Raises, Hiring Incentives
Metro Council approved a 3% cost of living adjustment for non-union Metro employees, totaling $2.3 million in the FY22 budget. The amended budget also appropriated additional dollars to improve compensation for LMPD, Metro Corrections, Emergency Management Services, and Louisville Fire. Metro Council also passed an ordinance appropriating $4.8 million in ARP funds to offer hiring incentives for public safety positions.
Paid Leave
Metro Council passed an ordinance in March 2021 that grants employees up to 12 continuous weeks of paid leave if used within the first six months after birth or adoption. Paid parental leave would run concurrently with FMLA leave. Eligible employees can be either full or part-time but must have had 12 months of continuous Metro employment.
TIFs
- Shelby Street Development Area
- Magazine Street Development Area
Redistricting
After reviewing the 2020 U.S. census data and the public’s feedback, Metro Council approved the newly drawn boundaries for Metro Council’s 26 districts in November. The new maps are currently in effect and updated online.
You can view all 26 district maps by clicking here.
Online Update
The Clerk’s Office created a new way to find old resolutions and ordinances online. Any legislation from 2003 to 2013 is now available on the Clerk’s website.
Logistics
Despite the roadblocks the pandemic presented, Metro Council worked continuously to make sure local government was running in a safe and transparent way. City Hall was reopened to the public when positive COVID cases started to trend downward, but constituents and council members still have the option to attend meetings virtually through WebEx. Metro Council is investing in new equipment and software to improve the efficiency and quality of the online options.
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