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As this is my first budget cycle serving on Louisville Metro Council, I am honored to take part in the process of reviewing and shaping the financial plan that will guide the work of our city government for the upcoming year. It is a unique opportunity to advocate for the needs of our community, ensure fiscal responsibility, and support programs and initiatives that bring real improvements to the lives of our residents.
The Mayor’s FY26 Budget Proposal
Louisville Metro Government operates on an annual budget that—unlike the Federal Government—must be balanced and passed before the new Fiscal Year begins on July 1. Mayor Greenberg recently presented his third budget proposal, outlining approximately $1.2 billion in spending—$960 million for operations and $240 million for capital projects. Thankfully, we’re starting from a strong financial position this year, with a $50 million surplus. That’s allowing us to invest more in infrastructure, public safety, and making it easier to do business in Louisville.
Next Steps
Over the next several weeks, Metro Council will dig into the details. On Thursday, May 8, the Budget Committee will kick off hearings with an overview from our Chief Financial Officer Angela Dunn and Budget Director Aaron Jackson. We'll have close to 30 hours of hearings in May and June, covering at least 20 departments and agencies.
Highlights and Good News
There’s a lot in this proposal that reflects what Council has been pushing for. I’m glad to see full funding for road paving, progress on the new police headquarters, and completing funding for more libraries. I’m also encouraged to see more investment spreading beyond downtown—especially in Fern Creek. That gives me hope we’re truly working to improve all areas of the city.
Public Works is set to oversee $122 million for 41 projects, including:
- $30 million for paving across Metro
- $2 million for sidewalk repairs
- $29 million to expand the Louisville Loop in over 10 areas
- $18 million for Cooper Chapel Road
- And more sidewalk and road improvements
We’re also looking at $26.8 million for affordable housing, home repairs, and shelter projects. Another $33.3 million is proposed for grants and contracts with nonprofits that support Metro’s mission.
Some Concerns and Priorities
While I appreciate the investments in public safety, one concern I have is the lack of funding for a new police training facility. The new headquarters is important, but we also need a proper space for training. This has been a need for nearly a decade, and I’ll keep advocating for it. Better training helps us attract and prepare quality officers—and benefits fire and EMS, too.
I’m also reviewing the 69 new staff positions and pay increases proposed. We need to make sure these changes truly help us serve the public better and keep government running efficiently.
Looking Ahead
Over the past decade, Council has worked to move from reactive to proactive—especially with preventative maintenance and better planning. I want to keep that momentum going. I’m especially interested in seeing support for new projects in our area, like a community center, gym addition, or park space that will benefit families and neighborhoods for years to come.
Key Budget Highlights:
- $30 million for street paving (9th straight year meeting or exceeding paving goals)
- $1 million for cameras and license plate readers to fight crime
- $9.2 million to continue work on the LMPD Headquarters
- $3 million to help bring new businesses and restaurants to the South End
- $3 million for long-overdue infrastructure in fast-growing eastern Jefferson County
- More funding for 24-hour homeless shelter services
- Medical assistance for homeless individuals leaving hospitals
- $15 million for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund
- $2 million for new technology—including AI—to streamline government services
Stay Involved
You can read the full FY26 proposed budget here.
Check out the hearing schedule HERE.
Want to share a thought or suggestion? Submit your feedback through this official form.
Thank you for the chance to represent you on Metro Council. If you have questions, ideas, or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out by email at Kevin.Bratcher@Louisvilleky.gov or by phone at 502-574-1122.
Wishing you a joyful and safe Derby Week!
On Friday, Councilman Bratcher presented a Metro Council Proclamation at the Grand Opening celebration of Bubba's 33. Now open at 10435 Southpointe Boulevard!
 The Waste Management District is seeking insight into Louisville residents' opinions on the effects, prevalence, and consequences of littering, and litter prevention and abatement efforts. This survey will only take a few minutes of your time! Survey deadline: April 30.
Access the short survey by clicking HERE.
We invite your review and feedback HERE. Deadline: May 6.
On Thursday, April 24th, the Metro Council received the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget proposal from Mayor Greenberg. This proposal was received during a speech given to the members of the Metro Council during our regularly scheduled meeting. This proposal and presentation kicks off the nearly two-month-long budget review process that will conclude at our June 26, 2025 Metro Council meeting.
The Mayor’s budget proposal represents months of work by the Mayor and his appointees. Mayor Greenberg’s proposal lays out his vision of our community’s spending priorities.
Members of the Metro Council do not get advance copies of the hundreds of pages of the proposal, so our ability to give in-depth comments on it is limited. Over the next two weeks, members of the Metro Council will take time to read through the hundreds of pages of documentation and then begin dozens of hours of public hearings with each department.
After the conclusion of the Mayor’s speech, we returned to our regular meeting schedule: voting on previous meeting minutes, the Metro Council’s Consent items, and those items listed on old business for their final recommendation.
Items Voted on during our April 24th meeting included:
Greater Louisville Pride Foundation Funding: Metro Council members allocated neighborhood development funding to support the creation and installation of signage honoring My Morning Jacket at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center.
Ken-Ducky Derby Funding for Harbor House: The Metro Council unanimously supported an ordinance to support and assist with marketing and fundraising for Harbor House’s 2025 Ken-Ducky Derby Event at Waterfront Park.
Zoning Cases: The Metro Council unanimously supported the approval of a zoning case on Thixton Lane after adding two binding elements to further clarify the maximum number of units allowed to be constructed on the property.
Land Development Proposals: The sponsor for items O-086-25 and R-033-25 withdrew his sponsorship of a resolution requesting the planning staff review the definition of pool and game rooms as well as the moratorium on such developments within a specific PDD. Both items died for lack of a sponsor.
The Metro Council does not have meetings scheduled for Derby week. Our next regular committee week will be the week of May 5th. The next Metro Council meeting is scheduled for May 15th.
Wednesday, May 7th at 12:30 p.m.
Join Councilman Bratcher with Mayor Greenberg for a ribbon cutting celebration of the new tennis and pickleball courts at Fern Creek Park.
Discovery Meadow
Here’s Everything Coming to Kentucky Kingdom’s New Land
Kentucky Kingdom is unveiling the full lineup of attractions of Discovery Meadow— a new $11 million family-friendly land. As part of the $25 million investment over the next two seasons, Discovery Meadow will open to the public on May 10, 2025. The new land features six acres dedicated to family fun with a Kentucky twist and includes three new attractions, 24 new and re-themed experiences, and its very own character. Guests can look forward to more fun and more ways to make memories worth repeating in an atmosphere that celebrates the spirit of Kentucky.
For more information, click here.
Councilman Bratcher is pleased to co-sponsor Shakespeare in the Parks!
 Join us for our annual Forest Fest, sponsored by Metro Council.
This will be a fun-filled day of Bluegrass and Americana music, arts & crafts, family activities, and local food. This year's lineup features the Tray Wellington Band, Tommy Prine, Kentucky Gentlemen, Relaay, and Miles Nielson & the Rusted Hearts. Follow the @ForestFest Facebook page for information leading up to the event!
All Ages Welcome. Family Friendly. Open to the public. Parking fee: $15 cash/vehicle.
 Mark your calendars for 6 fun-filled music nights in Highview Park!
7120 Briscoe Lane, 6:00-10:00p.m.
Councilman Bratcher is pleased to co-sponsor the Pet Clinic at Fern Creek Park on Saturday, June 21st. All of the dates/locations indicated below are available to you and all Jefferson County residents, so feel free to pick the most convenient date/location for you. Each clinic is scheduled to be open from 10:00am until 1:00pm. And... make sure to bring your government ID.
Councilman Bratcher is pleased to co-sponsor Shakespeare in the Parks!
9300 & 9308 Old Bardstown Road, 10313 & 10311 R Thixton Lane, Parcel ID 066600250000 (Case 24-ZONE-0088) - This proposed zoning change with development plan, previously approved by the Planning Commission, was affirmed by the Metro Council on Thursday, April 24th, following Councilman Bratcher achieving added binding elements to protect against the possibility of subsequent, significant increases in density (number of lots) above what is approved. This zoning case is now completed. Known as Windcrest Farms Section 3, the 288-lot development will have nearly 250 detached single-family homes within R-5 zoning and nearly 40 semi-detached units within PRD zoning. This plan connects with and extends previous Windcrest Farms development. The land involved in this section connects with Thixton Lane. Part of the proposal requires the addition along Thixton Lane of a right turn lane when approaching Old Bardstown Road and Vista Hills Blvd, and extending onward to Bardstown Road.
8803, 8805 and 8807 Old Bardstown Road (Case 24-ZONE-0105) - This proposed zoning change with development plan was approved by the Planning Commission on Thursday, April 10th. This completes the public record for this case. It will now move forward for Metro Council review and action in the following 30-90 days. This is a proposal for use of land located between Old Bardstown Road and Bardstown Road, just north of Fairmount Road. It is rezoned to C-1 for a Goodwill store along Fairmount Road. The land to the north of the Goodwill is rezoned to OR-1 for three buildings proposed to be for various medical uses that are yet to be determined. For more information about the proposal as approved by the Planning Commission, contact Case Manager Molly Clark (molly.clark@louisvilleky.gov or 502-574-8656).
8915 Old Bardstown Road (Case 24-ZONE-0113) - This proposed zoning change with development plan was approved by the Planning Commission on Thursday, April 10th. This completes the public record for this case. It will now move forward for Metro Council review and action in the following 30-90 days. This is a proposal for use of land located between Old Bardstown Road and Bardstown Road, directly south of the OR-1 mixture of office space and rental units. According to the staff report, it is rezoned to C-2 "to allow mini-warehouses with a conditional use permit. The development proposal is to construct two separate buildings that will contain 400 interior, climate controlled self-storage units." The buildings will be one story tall with entrance and exit on Old Bardstown Road. For more information about the proposal as approved by the Planning Commission, contact Case Manager Amy Brooks (amy.brooks@louisvilleky.gov or 502-574-8215).
11401 Race Road (Case 24-ZONE-0115) - Case 0113 above and this case (0115) are proposed by the same applicant. This proposed zoning change with development plan was approved by the Planning Commission on Thursday, April 10th. This completes the public record for this case. It will now move forward for Metro Council review and action in the following 30-90 days. This is a proposal for use of land located directly to the east across Bardstown Road and Race Road from the location of case 0113. According to the staff report, this property's zoning is moving from R-4 "to C-M Commercial Manufacturing to allow for the outdoor storage and parking of recreational vehicles, trailers, and boats." The resulting pavement will have 92 vehicular parking spots. For more information about the proposal as approved by the Planning Commission, contact Case Manager Amy Brooks (amy.brooks@louisvilleky.gov or 502-574-8215).
6422 & 6808 Billtown Road (Case 24-ZONE-0137) - This proposed zoning change with development plan was approved by the Planning Commission on Thursday, April 24th. This completes the public record for this case. It will now move forward for Metro Council review and action in the following 30-90 days. This is a proposal for use of land near Billtown Road and I-265 for a change in zoning from R-4 to C-1 and R-6. Part of the C-1 portion will have a Wawa's gas station and related services. Other parts of the C-1 area are not yet fully defined, but will likely have a restaurant and a coffee shop or the like. The R-6 area will be approximately 199 apartments in 3-story structures with sufficient green space to stay within the density limit of R-6. Road connection (Veterans Drive connecting with Gellhaus Lane) is also part of the proposal, as well as expansion of Billtown Road in that area. For more information about the proposal as approved by the Planning Commission, contact Case Manager Amy Brooks (amy.brooks@louisvilleky.gov or 502-574-8215).
8000 Broad Run Road (Case 24-ZONE-0112) is a proposed change in zoning from R-R & R-4 to Planned Residential Development (PRD) with a Floyds Fork Special Zoning Overlay District Review with associated waiver(s) and Detailed District Development Plan/Major Preliminary Subdivision Plan with binding elements. The Project Name is The Reserves at Parklands, Phase II. On March 27th, this proposal was forwarded from the Land Development & Transportation Committee (LD&T) to the Planning Commission. The PC meeting will be in the Old Jail Building at 514 W Liberty Street, 40202, and will start at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 15th - until all cases are heard. This proposal on roughly 107 acres seeks 370 buildable, single-family residential lots with a portion of the site to remain open space in recognition of some landscape challenges. According to the staff report, "the site has several environmental constraints including steep slopes and karst features." For more information about the nature of this proposal and how to participate in the meeting or otherwise comment for the public record, contact Case Manager Amy Brooks (amy.brooks@louisvilleky.gov or 502-574-8215). All comments for the public record must be submitted prior to the Planning Commission meeting.
8000 Broad Run Road (24-RSUB-0005) is a review for a Revised Major Subdivision. Relative to Case 24-ZONE-0112 above, here is the description we received from the case manager: "The cases are on properties adjacent to each other but will be heard separately at Planning Commission. (Case 24-RSUB-0005) is an appeal of a staff approval of the revised major subdivision for The Reserves at the Parklands Phase I, which was originally approved in 2022. The applicant submitted a revised major subdivision application last year to slightly reconfigure some buildings in the townhome section (still meets Land Development Code requirements), change a curve on a road to a cul-de-sac (approved by Transportation Planning), and enlarge the detention basin to accommodate additional future flow (approved by MSD)." For more information about the nature of this revision and how to participate in the meeting or otherwise comment for the public record, contact Case Manager Zach Schwager (zach.schwager@louisvilleky.gov or 502-574-8938). All comments for the public record must be submitted prior to the Planning Commission meeting.
9911 & 10019 Wingfield Road (Case 25-ZONEPA-0005) had the neighborhood meeting on February 25th at the Fern Creek Community Center. This proposal is the intended extension of commercial use of Southpointe Blvd up against I-265, including a Hy-Vee store and other retail entities. For more information about the nature of this proposal, next steps in the process, and how to participate/comment for the public record, contact Case Manager Molly Clark (molly.clark@louisvilleky.gov or 502-574-8656). All comments for the public record must be submitted prior to the Planning Commission meeting.
11380 Seatonville Road (Case 24-ZONE-0127) now has a formal application submitted. There are some issues to be addressed before it is scheduled for a public hearing. Once planning staff members consider those issues to be sufficiently addressed, the proposal will next be scheduled for a review by the Land Development & Transportation Committee (which only focuses on technical details of the plan to make sure those are ready for the Planning Commission to do its overall review). A petition for a night hearing has been successful, so when the Planning Commission hearing is scheduled, it will be in the evening at the Fern Creek Christian Church at 9419 Seatonville Road. For more information about the nature of this proposal and how to participate/comment for the public record, contact Case Manager Molly Clark (molly.clark@louisvilleky.gov or 502-574-8656). All comments for the public record must be submitted prior to the Planning Commission meeting.
REMINDER: One beneficial and convenient way for you to share your thoughts on a case (to be part of the public record) is to use this form.
 Do you know people who need assistance (whether in District 22 or in other parts of Louisville Metro)?
Click here for information on the Association of Community Ministries.
On this site, click on "Find Your Ministry" to explore the local community help available for any Jefferson County address.
For further information about District 22
or to contact Councilman Kevin Bratcher or Legislative Assistant Jon Bingham,
please visit:
https://louisvilleky.gov/government/metro-council-district-22
 There are approximately 100 boards and commissions with many areas of interest, including business and economic development, land planning, parks and recreation, public health and public safety.
If you are interested in volunteering for one of Louisville Metro Government's Boards and Commissions, now is the time to start. By being a part of a board or commission, you will offer your time and your talents to improve the quality of life in our community.
To learn more please visit Boards and Commissions.
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Pop-Up Drop-Offs are free recycling and large item disposal events for residents of Jefferson County. |
All events are 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on a Saturday. Please do not arrive early. Vehicles waiting cause traffic backups. Click here for he calendar of locations across the city and more information on how to participate and what items can be dropped off. Louisville Metro residents may use any event date/location, but the closest Pop-Up Drop-Off event is scheduled for July 19th at Fern Creek Elementary/High Schools, 8815 Ferndale Rd.
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 assistance.
Call 574-LMPD to report crime tips.
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