- No new taxes or fees
- $30 million for continued progress in addressing the Paving and Road repair needs of our community.
- $3.5 million to support Thrive By 5 Louisville and make childcare and early learning more affordable and accessible.
- $5 million for the construction of a training track at the planned First Responders Training Facility in Southwest Jefferson County. Funding matches appropriation from Kentucky General Assembly to support this much needed resource for police, fire, EMS and other regional first responders.
- $3 million for Dare to Care’s new Hunger Relief Center to be matched with $5 million in funding provided by the General Assembly during this year’s budget process.
- $500,000 to continue support for the senior nutrition program after a drop in federal funding.
- $1 million for Home of the Innocents to expand the Kosair for Kids Complex Care Center.
- $5 million to help with construction costs for the Kentucky Trails Capital Campaign and to match an equal contribution from the Kentucky General Assembly.
- $4.68 million to complete funding for Metro Parks centralized Maintenance and Operations Facility and the Radio Shop Expansion both to be located at the current Newburg Radio Shop site. This will aid in making Metro Parks more efficient and help to remove certain divisions from a variety of parks throughout the community, freeing up space and removing unsightly construction materials and equipment.
- $275,000 for Family Health Center clinics at JCPS schools and other locations around Louisville.
- $1.65 million for local community ministries.
- $4.5 million to complete needed funding for new pool facility at Sun Valley Park. Work to start following end of 2026 swimming season.
- $5 million for Jefferson Memorial Forest Capital Improvements. Funding will go towards continued development of walking trails, a suspension bridge, and other amenities at JMF.
- $1 million for match for next phase of infrastructure improvements using Metro System Development Charge.
- $2 million for identified bridge and retaining wall repairs.
- Hiring of additional library staff to support the opening of the new Fern Creek Library
- $450,000 for Sylvania Park capital improvements
- $50,000 for a new Southwest Community Center. Funding will combine with FY26 allocation already in use for planning and design.
- $20+ million to help more people and families find affordable housing through support of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, down payment assistance, existing property repair and renovation, small developer projects, and more.
- $1.5 million to tear down Dosker Manor and make way for new affordable housing.
- $500,000 to support the Home for Good initiative to create more permanent supportive housing for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness.
We will receive the details of the mayor’s proposal over the next week. During this time, we will be looking through the hundreds of pages presented to get a better grasp of the details of the Mayor’s budget. The first FY27 Budget hearing is planned for May 7th with approximately 25 hearings planned over the course of May and early June.
During those meetings we will have the opportunity to delve deeper into the operations of the major departments as well as the necessity and reasoning behind each proposed capital project. The Metro Council has a Budget Link located on our main webpage. This page contains the Capital, Operating, Detail as well as hearing schedule and public comment forms for this budget cycle. The Metro Council expects to have the final vote on the FY27 Budget on Thursday, June 25th at the regularly scheduled meeting of the Metro Council.
Thank you again for allowing me the opportunity to serve as your member of the Louisville Metro Council. Please feel free to reach out to me via phone at 574-1111 or e-mail at Kevin.Kramer@louisvilleky.gov should you have any questions or ideas related to local government, and please have a happy and safe Derby Week!
Sincerely,
Kevin J. Kramer, District 11 Councilman
The Louisville Metro Council’s Budget Committee has released its schedule for reviewing Mayor Craig Greenberg’s recommended Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Capital and Operating Budgets.
The Committee will review the recommended budget during hearings that are planned during the months of May and June. The first hearing is scheduled to occur on Thursday, May 7, 2025 at 5pm when the Metro Council’s Budget Committee is given updates on revenue projections, expenditures and debt followed by a presentation by Metro Government’s Office for Management and Budget. This year’s schedule includes twenty-five hearings and one budget hearing in which persons will be able to sign up and speak to the council on provisions or proposals related to the FY27 budget.
“The upcoming budget hearings, over nearly two months, will provide Metro Council members and Louisville residents with meaningful insight into the operations of our departments. I look forward to highlighting the progress achieved in our public safety, economic development, and housing initiatives, and to exploring additional ways to strengthen the efficiency and effectiveness of the essential services on which our community relies.”
— Budget Committee Chairman Kevin Kramer (District 11)
“I applaud the mayor for presenting a fiscally responsible budget that still makes key investments in our community, prioritizing public safety, infrastructure, quality of life, and services for those most vulnerable. Now, the focus shifts to Council and the community as we begin the review process. I encourage residents to stay engaged, review the proposal, follow department committee meetings, and share feedback at the public budget hearing or through the online comment form. Working together, we can shape a balanced budget that meets the needs of our entire community.”
- Budget Committee Vice-Chairman Markus Winkler (District 17
The FY 2026-2027 Recommended Executive Budget Document and Metro Council Hearing Schedule can be found at FY26-27 Budget Hearing Schedule
Public Input:
The public is encouraged to participate in the budget process by submitting public comment on the recommended budget. The online comment form is located on the Metro Council website, and a direct link is here: Metro Council FY26-27 Budget Comment Form
The online form will close on Friday, June 5, at 5 p.m.
The community is also invited to attend the Community Budget Hearing scheduled for Thursday, May 13, at 6 p.m. Persons may sign up to speak during the hearing in-person between 5pm and 6pm on the night of the hearing. Those persons who signed up to speak will be given up to three minutes to share their opinions and ideas on the budget proposal. This in-person hearing will be conducted in Metro Council Chambers on the third floor of City Hall, 601 W. Jefferson Street.
Highlights from the FY27 Budget Hearing Schedule:
Thursday, May 7
5 p.m. Revenue Expenditures Capital and Debt Overview for FY26 Budget
Monday, May 11
4 p.m. Human Resources
5 p.m. Public Works and Assets
Tuesday, May 12
4 p.m. Office of Social Services
5:15 p.m. External Agencies
Wednesday, May 13
3 p.m. Parks and Recreation
4:30 p.m. Louisville Zoo
6 p.m. Community Budget Hearing
Wednesday, May 20
3 p.m. Facilities and Fleet Management
4 p.m. Police / LMPD
Thursday, May 21
3 p.m. Fire and EMS
4 p.m. Emergency Services
5 p.m. Metro Animal Services
Tuesday, May 26
3 p.m. Office for Housing and Community Development
4 p.m. Office for Violence Prevention
Thursday May 28
3 p.m. Economic Development
4 p.m. Codes and Regulations
Monday, June 1
3 p.m. Metro Corrections
4 p.m. Public Health and Wellness
5 p.m. Louisville Free Public Library
The Council is expected to vote to adopt the FY 2026-2027 Budget during the regularly scheduled Metro Council meeting on Thursday, June 25, at 6 p.m.
The public may watch the all budget hearings and budget related proceedings live on Spectrum Cable Channel 184, with Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV OTT Apps, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LouisvilleMetroCouncil
Project Description:
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T-Mobile Switch Renovation
A revised detailed district development plan to renovate an existing switch center on 1.9653 acres in the PEC zoning district. |
Grant brings the wonders of sky and nature closer with new telescopes and binoculars, expands stargazing and birdwatching public programs, and supports STEAM learning.
On the heels of the historic Artemis II mission, today Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg and the Library Foundation announced that the Louisville Free Public Library (LFPL) is expanding its popular telescope lending program, adding binocular kits at every library location, and supporting related STEAM programming across the city The expansion is made possible through a $35,000 grant from Genentech.
“This investment opens up new opportunities for discovery across our entire city,” said Mayor Craig Greenberg. “Through strong public-private partnerships like this one, we are expanding access to educational resources, supporting families, creating more ways for Louisville residents to reach for the stars and connect with the world around them.”
Originally launched in 2018 with just four telescopes donated by the Louisville Astronomical Society, the program has proven incredibly popular, with more than 400 checkouts and waitlists stretching up to six months. Now, with interest in space soaring after the astronauts of Artemis II helped pave the path for a return to the moon, the addition of 19 new tabletop telescopes and 19 sets of binoculars ensures every library location will have one of each available for public use.
Each telescope and binocular kit is designed to be easy to use and accessible for all ages. Telescopes come equipped with constellation guides, headlamps, and carrying cases. Binocular kits include birdwatching and night sky guides that help patrons explore both above and around them, from backyard birds to distant stars – even the crater on the moon named Carroll in honor of Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman’s late wife.
Programming led by partners Louisville Astronomical Society and Louisville Audubon Society will offer hands-on opportunities for families, students, and lifelong learners to explore astronomy, nature, and science.
“This is about providing access, sparking curiosity, and supporting lifelong learning,” said Heather Lowe, Executive Director of the Louisville Free Public Library. “By placing these tools in every branch, we are giving more people the chance to explore the night sky, engage with science and nature, and experience the library in a new way.”
The initiative builds on the Library Foundation’s broader efforts to expand access to books, materials, and innovative programming across Louisville.
“We’re committed to making sure every neighborhood has access to resources that spark learning and discovery,” said Chandra Gordon, Executive Director of the Louisville Free Public Library Foundation. “This partnership allows us to meet growing demand while continuing to invest in programs that inspire curiosity and connection.”
"Genentech's legacy and future aspirations are built on the belief that the boundaries of science are meant to be broken and that we can solve some of the hardest biomedical challenges plaguing humankind. Our history is marked by explorers tirelessly working to make seemingly impossible ideas a reality. But true innovation doesn't start in a lab—it starts with a spark of wonder. By investing in the STEM Ecosystem, we aren't just buying equipment; we are building the architecture of discovery. We don't fund telescopes to find new stars, or binoculars to discover new species; we fund them to find new scientists. Because once you teach a mind to wonder, it never stops looking for answers—and that is exactly where the cure for the next disease begins,” said Shannon Burch, Senior Administrative Business Partner and Site Leader for Employee and Community Engagement, Kentucky Distribution Center of Genentech.
With support from community partners and donors, the LFPL continues to expand its STEAM offerings and create opportunities for residents of all ages to explore new interests, whether that means reading, birdwatching, or looking up at the night sky.
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