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Mayor Greenberg delivered his budget proposal at City Hall on Thursday, April 24.
On April 24, Mayor Greenberg delivered his third annual address for the city’s $1.2 billion budget. The Mayor’s theme for the budget address and proposed budget was Priorities, Progress, & Performance, highlighting the city’s positive financial position while also stressing the need to speed up the progress even more in the coming months and years. Here are some of the ways in which the budget has connections to sustainability:
Towards Metro’s goal of 100% clean electricity for government operations by 2030:
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Energy Innovation Fund: The budget replenished the $1 million Energy Innovation Fund to expand energy efficiency and rooftop solar projects in Metro buildings and includes funding for an additional energy management position.
Towards Metro’s goal of 100% clean energy and net zero emissions by 2040:
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Built Environment, Housing, and Economic Development: Among investments in affordable housing, the budget includes a $1 million modular housing pilot to build highly energy- and resource-efficient and affordable homes in each Council District. MMY US, the solution provider, offers high quality modular housing that produces 35% less carbon emissions than their traditional counterparts and is compatible with sustainable land-use patterns such as urban infill development.
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Transportation: The budget includes increased funding for the Metro Department of Transportation, a $3 million allocation for the purchase of a downtown site to serve as a TARC transit hub, and fully funds the Highland Bike Park.
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Nature-based solutions: The budget includes $7 million in funding for deferred maintenance at Metro Parks.
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Public Safety: Substantial investments in emergency management, emergency shelters, fire, animal services, and more allows the city to enhance responsiveness to increasingly recurring extreme weather-related disasters and environmental hazards.
In addition, the budget continues to fully fund the operations of the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability, which has seen a material budget increase since Mayor Greenberg elevated the Office in 2023.
Read the press release for more and view the 2025-2026 proposed budget.
The Office of Sustainability (OS) celebrated Earth Month across Louisville and beyond by participating in various events. Here are some photos from various activities conducted throughout the month of April.
The Real Young Prodigys (TRYP) opened Earth Fest with a hip-hop performance.
On March 29, Mayor Greenberg kicked-off Earth Fest, a month-long community Earth Month celebration of all the great organizations and community members working towards a more sustainable and healthy city.
Daily Green Power joined OS at Bernheim's RESTORE event to share information about Solarize Louisville.
On April 19, OS attended Bernheim’s RESTORE: Healthy Planet, Healthy Us festival. OS talked to community members about programs of the OS including Solarize Louisville with support from Daily Green Power, a vetted Solarize Louisville installer.
The OS and Pure Power Solar teamed up to distribute information at TreeFest.
On April 19, OS and Pure Power Solar joined forces to table at the third annual Louisville TreeFest event and educate people on the Solarize program. TreeFest is put on by Trees Louisville as a way to celebrate Earth Month and get people engaged with the environment, especially through tree planting. There were fun activities such as live music, food trucks, eco-friendly vendors, and a tree giveaway.
The Interfaith Climate Summit drew different congregations together to discuss climate change and climate action.
On April 25, OS participated in a panel at the Interfaith Climate Action Summit attended by faith leaders from across the city to explore ways to promote care for the planet in the Louisville community.
The kNOw Waste Louisville team displayed waste education activities at the Louisville Zoo Earth Day celebration (photo from Louisville Zoo Facebook page).
On April 27, OS participated in the Louisville Zoo’s Earth Day celebration and joined other Metro and community eco-partner displays sharing information about their organizations’ community impact.
OS and Louisville Wild Ones facilitated a nature walk including a look into some aquatic creatures.
On April 28, OS co-hosted a City Nature Challenge Walk with Louisville Wild Ones Chapter in Brown Park. Using the iNaturalist app, nature walkers identified plants and animals at the park.
In addition, OS also participated in the 2nd Annual State of Black Food Summit, the University of Louisville Introduction to Sustainability class, the University of Louisville Roundtable on Federal Funding Impact, the Louisville Sustainability Council Green Drinks, and Jeffersonville Earth Day.
Solarize Louisville graphic
OS, in partnership with The Kentucky Solar Energy Society (KYSES), announced the launch of the fourth annual Solarize Louisville program. Solarize Louisville is officially open for both residential and small non-residential property owners in the Louisville Metro area, which includes Louisville/Jefferson County and seven surrounding counties in Kentucky and Indiana.
Solarize Louisville is a bulk purchasing program that makes it possible to purchase solar from trusted installers at discounted rates through a simplified process. Daily Green Power and Pure Power Solar have been selected as vetted solar installation partners for this season. Both are offering the same competitive price which includes a 15-18% discount.
To submit your property or properties for consideration, fill out this form and include your latest utility bill. Attend an upcoming Solar 101 workshop to learn more and ask questions to installers:
Solarize Louisville Workshop with Daily Green Power
Location: Western Branch - Louisville Free Public Library
Address: 604 South Tenth Street, Louisville, KY 40203
Date: Saturday, May 10, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Register for the workshop here.
Louisville Fire Engine 8 was the second city building to be solarized through the Solarize Louisville program.
OS, kNOw Waste, and other Metro team members joined forces to conduct a waste audit of a Metro building.
OS and the Waste Management District kNOw Waste Education team joined forces to do a waste audit of the 444 S 5th St building on April 17.
The crew spent several hours digging through and sorting garbage in order to see how well the building is recycling. The crew was able to divert an additional 110 lbs of material to recycling that otherwise would have gone to landfill.
Check out MetroTV's feature on the waste audit.
If you are interested in performing a waste audit of a building or office, reach out to Alex Herrin for more information.
Electric Vehicle survey graphic
Louisville Metro Government’s Cabinet for Economic Development, in partnership with infrastructure consulting firm AECOM, is in the process of developing an Electric Vehicle (EV) Readiness Plan. The Plan will address community EV readiness strategies and identify priority public charging sites around Louisville-Jefferson County. The Cabinet and AECOM are seeking feedback by surveying organizations (Organization Survey) throughout Louisville Metro Government, the business community, and community non-profits, as well as individual citizens (Public Survey). Please follow the link for the EV survey that most closely matches your designation.
2025 Most Admired Woman Awards: Public Service - Sumedha Rao
Sumedha Rao, Executive Director of OS, has been nominated for Today's Woman's 2025 Most Admired Woman in the Public Service category! Your vote can help elevate the Mayor's Office of Sustainability and our important work in new spaces, communities, and conversations.
If you’d like to vote, you can do so multiple times until Friday, May 2, at 12:00 PM at 2025 Most Admired Woman Awards: Public Service - Sumedha Rao.
Check out the other great Most Admired Woman nominees and their work.
2025 Midwest Sustainability Summit graphic
OS Executive Director Sumedha Rao will be at the 2025 Midwest Sustainability Summit speaking about Louisville’s local government sustainability efforts, along with local leaders from Lexington and Dayton! The Summit serves as a spark for connecting and learning together, deepening our resolve, and celebrating collaborative climate solutions. This year’s theme explores the power of sustainable stories to inspire change, bridge divides, and create a resilient, equitable future. Check out this year’s program featuring 100 speakers, 45 exhibitors, an art show, and live performances.
Learn more and register at 2025 Midwest Sustainability Summit.
Good Food, Vacant Lots, and Food Vision 2030 graphic
Finding Food and Agricultural Resources
The LouFoodGuide: A Guide to Local (and Free) Food & Farm Resources in Louisville is your one-stop shop for places to find free or healthy local food, farmers markets, food and ag groups, resources/training for growers, and more. If you have a resource to share through the guide, please share it with Food in Neighborhoods at finlouisville@gmail.com.
Getting a Lot on Your Block
Got your eye on a vacant city-owned property that you’d like to use for growing your own vegetables and fruit trees? The Louisville Metro Land Bank Authority offers the Lot on My Block and My New Side Yard Programs to homeowners AND renters. Learn about the programs here. Food in Neighborhoods has micro-grants to help with Lot on My Block purchases. Learn more about how FIN can support you here.
Building a Better Food Scene
The newly established Greater Louisville Food Council is starting to implement Louisville’s first multi-year strategic plan, Food Vision 2030, to create a more just, resilient and sustainable food system for all. The Vision is the product of two years of community collaboration with nearly 500 residents, and it includes strategies for policy change, support for growers and food systems, better access to healthy food for all, and greater environmental justice for residents. Inspired and ready to learn more? Have skills or ideas to contribute? Consider joining one of the working groups to support this bold endeavor.
- The next Solarize Louisville Workshop with Daily Green Power will be hosted at the Western Branch of Louisville Free Public Library on Saturday, May 10.
- The 12th Annual How-To Festival returns to the Louisville Free Public Library (LFPL) Main Branch on Saturday, May 10. Check out How to identify fossils and understand deep time at 10:00 AM with Maria Tori from OS.
- Celebrate Mother’s Day in nature with a Leaf and Learn Hike at Jefferson Memorial Forest for a special tree identification adventure! Join a guided hike where you’ll learn to recognize trees by their leaves and flowers. After exploring, get creative with a leaf rubbing craft to take home.
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The Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute invites you to join the Trager Microforest Opening Celebration on Tuesday, May 13 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Mayor Craig Greenberg will offer remarks at 11:30 am. The celebration will feature: Ramiro's Cantina Food Truck, music, tree giveaways to the first 50 guests, "Ask a Scientist" tables, and fun activities for kids.
- The Louisville Grows' Seeds & Starts Sale will be hosted on Saturday, May 10 and Saturday, May 17 at 1641 Portland Avenue, Louisville, KY, 40203.
- Join Jefferson Memorial Forest for the annual Forest Fest, sponsored by Louisville Metro Council. This will be a fun-filled day of Bluegrass music, arts & crafts, family activities, and food booths. This year's lineup will feature the Tray Wellington Band, Tommy Prine, Kentucky Gentlemen, Relaay, and Miles Nielson & the Rusted Hearts.
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Car Free Cherokee happens on the last Sunday of each month, this month on May 25. Cherokee Park closes these days to traffic so park users can enjoy the Scenic Loop car free! Reduce your carbon footprint with TARC route #29 stopping at Cherokee Parkway and Willow Avenue.
- Louisville Metro Public Works Pop-Up Drop-Offs are free recycling and large item disposal events for residents of Jefferson County. The next events are May 17 at Sun Valley Park and May 31 at UofL Shelby Campus, 440 N Whittington Pkwy.
Board Member, Kentucky Solar Energy Society (KYSES). KYSES is looking for candidates interested in advancing solar in Kentucky through impactful efforts such as Solarize, consumer protection, advocacy, education, and more. Email info@kyses.org to nominate yourself or another person by May 4.
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