Metro Council Approves Amended Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Capital and Operating Budgets

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Louisville, KY 40202
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Metro Council Approves Amended Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Capital and Operating Budgets


Metro Council reduces Debt while adding funding for needed Safety, Infrastructure, and Park Projects

LOUISVILLE, KY - By a vote of 22-3 with one abstention the Louisville Metro Council approved amended Louisville Metro 2026-2027 (FY27) Capital and Operating Budgets.

The result of that work is represented in the two budget amendments passed today by members of the Louisville Metro Council. A few highlights of the changes made as part of the amendment process are as follows:

  • $40 million in funding has been allocated to support housing needs
  • $30 million in funding has been allocated to continue progress in addressing the paving needs of the community.
  • $4.4 million has been allocated to address park maintenance (increase of 1.4 million)
  • $6.2 million less in debt will be issued to pay for the FY27 Capital and Operating Budgets
  • $500,000 will be placed in the Metro’s “Rainy Day” account to help in the event of a natural disaster or economic downturn.
  • $500,000 to Facilities & Fleet Management for solar projects in Metro buildings and streetlights
  • $500,000 in funding will be allocated to help create a database to track repeat violent crime offenders and to track their movement within our justice system.
  • $1,500,000 in funding is being allocated to assist with the purchase of properties adjacent to parks or to help establish a future cite for a Community Center in south and southwest Jefferson County
  • $4,500,000 to complete funding needed for Sun Valley Pool renovation
  • $5,900,000 for the Newburg Community Center gymnasium
  • $100,000 for school bus stop lighting study
  • $50,000 in funding to expand the Ambassador Program on Broadway between 7th and 30th Streets
  • $1 million in improvements to McNeely Lake Park including restroom renovations, renovation to 2 basketball courts, planning for an education center/lodge and other enhancements.
  • Nearly $400,000 for Traffic Safety enhancements along Greenwood, Lower Hunters Trace and Terry Road.
  • $1.3 million in funding to support year one and part of year two of the three-year Golf Plan to improve our public courses.
  • Restoration of Funding for the Kentucky Soil and Water to $113,000
  • $125,000 to Parks & Recreation to build the Florence Skate Spot
  • $250,000 each for capital projects planned by Heuser Hearing Institute and as well as Hosparus Hospice Center
  • $2.2 million reduction in non-scheduled overtime.

The amendments that were accepted and supported by similar 8-1 votes by the Metro Council’s Budget Committee helped to reduce spending within the Capital and Operating Budgets and reduced the amount of debt requested by Mayor Greenberg during his April 23, 2026 presentation.

“My goal from the beginning was to seek ways to reduce the amount of borrowing needed to support this budget, while also making sure that every corner of the community received the support it needed. The end result is a budget that reduced new debt by $6.2 million and set aside $500,000 in reserves. This budget represents the thoughts and ideas of the Mayor as well as the members of the Metro Council who took part in the budget process and continues our progress of addressing differed maintenance within our roads, facilities and parks.” - Budget Chairman Kevin Kramer, District 11

The Metro Council has approved a balanced FY27 budget that reflects months of public meetings, collaboration, and public input. This budget makes meaningful investments in our neighborhoods and parks, strengthens essential services, and addresses the needs of our community. I want to thank my colleagues for their thoughtful engagement throughout the budget process and the residents who shared their input. Together, we’ve passed a responsible budget that moves our city forward.”- Budget Committee Vice Chair Markus Winkler, District 17.

“This budget isn’t everything that many of us in the caucus hoped for, but I’m glad we were able to secure funding for important projects, including the Hemlock Street Block Revitalization Project, along with investments in parks and economic development. Passing a balanced budget requires compromise, and I’m proud we were able to protect funding for several community priorities. While I would have liked to see additional funding for district-specific projects, I’m hopeful we can continue making progress through mid-year budget adjustments and keep investing in improvements that directly benefit our community.”  – Majority Caucus Chair Tammy Hawkins, District 1

“This budget continues to reflect the Minority Caucus’ priorities including continued investments in public safety and critical infrastructure. Our caucus is focused on funding the most important functions of government and responding to what will have the biggest impact on the people we serve. We are also concerned about the long-term sustainability of our fiscal outlook. This amended budget eliminates some of the Mayor’s proposed borrowing to reduce future debt service costs and it restores a significant contribution to our rainy-day fund. This demonstrates our desire to ensure the budget is preparing our city for success beyond just the next fiscal year.”  – Minority Caucus Chair Anthony Piagentini, District 19

A copy of the final amended version of both the Operating and Capital Budgets are available at https://louisvilleky.gov/government/metro-council/fy26-27-proposed-budget-information. The final version of both ordinances will be published following the signature of Mayor Craig Greenberg.


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