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Councilwoman Shameka Parrish-Wright
601 W. Jefferson Street
(502) 574-1103
Email Councilwoman Parrish-Wright
Ben Harlan
Legislative Assistant
(502) 574-3452
Email Ben
Jocelyn Walker
(502) 494-6663
Jocelyn.Walker@louisvilleky.gov
District 3 Website
Request a Meeting
Request Event Attendance
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 Before getting into the budget again, we want to congratulate all graduates this spring, and celebrate the last day of JCPS for students! We will soon be sharing information on summer programming for the young people. We'll also be sharing ways our seasoned seniors can plug in and get connected to resources! Now, onto the budget.
As a reminder, the following is what Councilwoman Parrish-Wright asked to be in the FY27 Budget:
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Shively Library Expansion/New Build: Funding for expansion or, at minimum, a fully funded expansion plan and architectural design. Libraries are workforce hubs, youth spaces, digital access points, and community anchors. Expansion funding or planning funds in FY27, including a construction-ready plan within 12–18 months. (Previous library projects make the estimate for the total project around ~20M.)
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Parks & Public Safety:
- $25,000 for street light upgrades/installations throughout District 3
- $30,000 to Metro Parks for a limestone permitter for Watterson Lake Park, as well as $50,000 towards the installation of a basketball court
- Inclusion/Support for the Parks Alliance proposed budget request
- Neighborhood Infrastructure & Food Access
- $15,000 to repave Old Millers Lane
- $30,000 for 7th Street Community Garden (for necessary maintenance and replacements)
- Funding to an initiative that can bring a grocery store or fresh food options to District 3
Councilwoman Parrish-Wright asked for money to be allocated to projects residents have consistently asked about. Real investments into projects that would improve YOUR quality of life. Unfortunately, the administration did not include any of these asks in the FY27 budget.
So far, Councilwoman Parrish-Wright has listened to the Office of Social Services, Public Works, Parks & Rec, Human Resources, Facilities and Fleet, LMPD, LMAS, Fire, and Emergency Services describe how they would continue to serve the community on their proposed budget.
Unfortunately, despite having a balanced budget, most departments were asked to reduce costs by eliminating employees or reducing services. What does this mean? Essentially that YOU, the taxpayer, could see a reduction in services without a reduction in taxes. The over five thousand Louisville Metro employees work diligently every single day to ensure every resident of Jefferson County has equitable access to our city services. However, with the proposed budget cuts, it could make it more challenging for these hardworking Louisvillians to serve you. This includes parks, libraries, sidewalk repairs, road paving, solid waste management, and critical social services like support for our housing insecure neighbors, and utility assistance for working Louisville families.
The budget is a moral document. This budget is, simply put, austere. Our dedicated Metro employees are having to make tough decisions about what services to keep while YOUR property values (and thus taxes) skyrocket. No, our taxes weren't raised. That is only because the budget is being slashed. While we are burdened with hefty tax bills, the administration has decided the best use of our money is for LEDA, well, now it's called One-Louisville (after cannibalizing GLI) for "economic development" that includes expensive dues that dis-incentivize our locally owned business owners from being involved in the decision making process. We are told economic development will bring jobs and tax revenue. And if it were community-inclusive economic development, that would be true. That said, have you felt more economically secure because of hotels and developments? Have you had an easier time finding a good-paying job?
We are being saddled with more hotels, more luxury apartments, and more taxpayer funded developments whose benefits WE cannot access.
As an additional reminder:
The following organizations either received no money in the budget, or their funding was significantly decreased from previous fiscal years.
- Arthur Street Hotel-Serves homeless Louisvillians
- ECHO-Serves exploited children
- Extension Office-Supports Urban Agriculture
- Family and Children's Place-Supports abused children
- Hope Village-Houses homeless Louisvillians
- Louisville Memorial Auditorium-Serves Louisvillians via a widely used stage and event space
- Louisville Memorial Gardens
This list is not exhaustive, but these organizations have worked well and helped house people in less time than "Home For Good" is promising. I always say Louisville is good at starting new programming, but never carries on what actually works.
If taxpayers are funding millions in contracts, the public deserves measurable outcomes and full transparency. If we truly want safer neighborhoods, we must invest upstream not only after crisis happens. Housing & stability cuts or stagnation in social services come while homelessness and housing instability remain major concerns.
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 https://louisvilleky.gov/government/metro-council/fy26-27-proposed-budget-information?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdeliveryBudget
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.
Councilwoman Parrish-Wright is always busy-she attends meetings, speaks on panels, celebrates communities, and ultimately, listens. She's had a great couple of weeks continuing to serve.
 CW Parrish-Wright attended the unveiling of the statue of Alberta O. Jones at the Hall of Justice. Alberta O. Jones was one of the first Black women attorneys in the state, and she was an attorney for Muhammad Ali prior to her being killed. The County Attorney honored her with this statue.
 Councilwoman Parrish-Wright joined Councilwoman Bast in honoring Da'Jon Hayes-Burr and his mother, Lakeita Burr-Smith. The young Mr. Da'Jon Hayes-Burr was attending a Thunder Over Louisville event when he stepped in and protected another young person from being abused. Councilwomen Parrish-Wright and Bast honored this young man and his mother for this extraordinary act of courage and integrity.
 Councilwoman Parrish-Wright joined several amazing Louisvillians at this Mercedes summer networking event!
 The Zoo brought some of their animals to their budget hearing, including this super cool bird, who really liked people!
 Please join the D3 team for our next monthly District Advisory Board meeting on June 16th at 6pm at City Hall (601 W Jefferson St). Food will be provided! If you can't join in person, call, email, or text Ben at 502-835-4096 for a virtual link!
 Please join us for our next Building Our Blocks event for the HALLMARK neighborhood! We will be hosting this event at New Horizon Baptist Church at 2202 Dixie Highway with catering by Franco's, and resources from the Office of Housing, the Louisville Urban League, and the Louisville Water Company! Join us from 11am-3pm!
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