District 17 Newsletter

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April 25, 2025


Friday Thoughts

Happy Friday! I hope this newsletter finds you well.

At last night's Metro Council meeting, the mayor unveiled his FY26 budget proposal. We've really not had much of a chance to dive in yet, so my comments today will be focused on the highlights. I'll have more to share over the coming weeks as I review the proposal in detail. 

First, it's important to note that we have a $50 Mm surplus. This is a testament to the resilience of our economy, the growth trajectory we're on, and prudent fiscal management. It also gives us room to do more good in the community.

As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, homicides and violent crime are down about 30% year to date. While we always hope for and work towards even better results, that is a very positive number for an issue of utmost importance. So, I was glad to see the mayor double down on our anti-violence strategy and continue to put focus and effort into these initiatives. 

The mayor proposed significant investments in our built environment, including parks and libraries, community centers, sidewalks, and paving. Related to those last two examples, the mayor recommended significant pay raises for our Public Works engineers. That might not seem like the most exciting investment, but I can tell you it is incredibly important. We sometimes see significant gaps between the time we allocate funding for a project and its execution. A contributing factor at times is the lack of available staff to successfully implement the project. Having more engineers on staff will ensure that we're able to get projects moving so that you see the results of our investments sooner.

The mayor also highlighted investments towards making government more efficient. These include investments in AI and other technologies as well as things like triage nurses in our 911 call centers so that we're only sending an EMS response when it's an emergency situation. These should not only provide immediate benefit to our residents in the form of better service, but also help provide more flexibility in future budgets through the cost savings they generate.

The last item I want to specifically call out is the addition of four regional investment funds. This shows a recognition that different parts of our city have different needs and that dedicated resources to address those needs makes good policy sense. For our area, that means additional dollars for infrastructure to improve roadways (something I think many of us support). We'll learn more in the coming weeks about where exactly those dollars will be allocated.

If you'd like to get involved, please be sure to check out the 'FY26 Budget' article below. I welcome your thoughts - after all, it's your budget and should reflect what's important to you.

Finally, let me be the first to wish you a Happy Derby! I hope you have an enjoyable week with family and friends celebrating one of the things that makes our city so special. We likely won't have a newsletter next Friday, but please reach out if we can be of service. 


Contact the District 17 Office


Markus Winkler
17th District Councilman
Louisville Metro Council
502.574.1117
Contact Councilman Winkler


Kip Eatherly
Legislative Aide
502.574.3462
Contact Kip

Follow Me on Facebook

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Important Numbers

Animal Services  473-7387
Charmoli NP  574-5787
Codes & Regulations  574-2508
EACM  426-2824
Health & Wellness  574-6520
Jefferson Co. Clerk  574-5700
KY Science Center  561-6100
LG&E  589-1444
LMPD (8th Division)  574-2258
Louisville Water  583-6610
Louisville Zoo  459-2181
Mayor's Office  574-2003
Middletown Library  245-7332
MSD  540-6000
NE Regional Library  394-0379
Parks & Recreation  574-7275
Planning & Design  574-6230
Public Works  574-5810
TARC  585-1234

Next 'Coffee With Your Councilman' - Wednesday, May 14

coffee meeting


My next 'Coffee With Your Councilman' will be Wednesday, May 14 at 9 a.m. at MozzaPi, 12102 La Grange Road. I'll share the latest news from City Hall and address any questions attendees have. We'll be joined that day by Louisville Free Public Library (LFPL) Director Lee Burchfield. If you have any thoughts or concerns regarding our library system, this would be a great meeting to attend. Hope to see you then! 


April 24 Metro Council Meeting Recap

Click here for a video recapping last night's Metro Council meeting. Visit the clerk's website here for the full agenda or more information on a particular item. 


MSD Communications Survey

The Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) is conducting a survey to gather feedback on its current communications processes. Your input would be helpful in improving how they communicate with residents, ensuring you receive the information you need when you need it. The survey takes just a few minutes to complete and will be available until May 30. Thank you for your participation! 
 


Shakespeare at Hounz Lane Park - Sunday, May 4

macbeth


I wanted to send another reminder about Macbeth coming to Hounz Lane Park on Sunday, May 4. We had an unbelievable turnout last year for a performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream and hope to see a similar crowd this year. Feel free to bring chairs or blankets, some food, and even your pet if you like. Hounz Lane Park is a beautiful venue for something like this, and I think you'll have an enjoyable time watching this talented cast. Hope to see you on the 4th! 


Curbside Pickup of Storm/Flood Debris

Louisville Metro residents may now fill out an online form to request curbside pickup following recent severe weather events. This service is provided for residential debris only. Household hazardous waste will not be accepted. If you're interested, click here for the required self-reporting form and answers to some frequently asked questions about this opportunity. If you need additional assistance, please call Public Works at 574-3572. 


Litter Perception Survey

litter survey


Some of you may recall seeing a survey around this time last year asking for your opinions on such things as the prevalence of litter and the city's abatement efforts. That baseline survey received more than 1,000 responses. The Waste Management District is asking for your help again this year to track potential changes in perceptions about litter in Louisville. The survey takes only a few minutes to complete, so I hope you'll be able to help.
   


FY26 Budget

Yesterday afternoon, the mayor shared his recommended FY26 budget with the Metro Council. Beginning May 8 (with an overview of Revenue, Expenditures, Capital, and Debt), we'll have about six weeks of hearings before voting to adopt the budget during the June 26 Metro Council meeting. Click here to explore the mayor's proposed budget, view the hearing schedule, share feedback on the budget with my office, and more. 
  


Message From LMPD's 8th Division

Incidents of vehicle thefts and thefts from vehicles have picked up recently in the 8th Division. These crimes are primarily happening in the early morning hours and mostly involve unlocked vehicles. Unfortunately, several firearms have been taken from some of these vehicles. Please remember to lock your doors and remove guns, valuables, etc. from your vehicle when you're not in it. 
  


Urban Forest Master Plan Draft

UFMP


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