The Louisville Metro Council unanimously approved the amended Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Capital and Operating Budgets during last night's regularly scheduled Metro Council meeting.
Mayor Craig Greenberg presented his budget on April 27 with increased investments in public safety, funding for homelessness and affordable housing, continued efforts to improve and repair infrastructure, investments in parks, as well as other initiatives.
On Tuesday, the Budget Committee passed both amended budgets unanimously, and after hosting more than 36 hours of budget and public hearings, the budget amendment addressed critical needs, without adding additional debt above the Mayor’s proposed budget.
The approved budget increased funding for deferred maintenance, homeless outreach services, and paving.
“I am pleased that we have made a larger commitment to assist our most vulnerable populations in getting support and help and our significant investment in our parks and pools," Councilman Mulvihill said.
Homeless Resources: Added $3 million for the Goodwill Opportunity Campus in West Louisville’s Parkland neighborhood, which will provide a combination of programs and services to an underserved community. It also adds $200,000 in additional funds for an expansion of Goodwill’s Another Way program, which provides unhoused individuals with opportunities to gain job skills and compensation for their work. Adds $200,000 for the Volunteers of America Unity House, which provides individualized care and goal setting with families facing homelessness. Finally, adds $200,000 for homeless outreach outside the Watterson Expressway.
Infrastructure: The budget amendment adds $4 million to the already allocated $26 million devoted to repaving, and $1 million allocated to improving alleys. The Committee increased the funding bridges and road repair by $1.5 million to help address crumbling infrastructure needs. Sidewalks will continue to be funded at $3 million for repairs in all Metro Council Districts. The budget also includes a $1.8 million appropriation for sidewalk extensions, connections, and completion on Alberta Jones, Ward Avenue, Shelbyville Road, and Beckley Station, and $1.1 million for pavement markings.
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