The overall budget reflects an increase over the $1.1 billion total of the previous year, including $715 million in general fund dollars, an increase of $57 million. And because of significant funding from federal, state, foundations and other sources, the Mayor proposes a capital budget of $343 million, more than doubling the $167 million in FY22. Among the highlights:

• $10 million for affordable housing, which brings the total investment during the Mayor’s term to $106 million – more than any other administration in the city’s history, as well as $3 million in down payment assistance to help increase homeownership among low to moderate households and $3.4 million to repair and maintain homeownership in low-income areas.
• An additional $3 million matching grant for Evolve502, ensuring that every JCPS student in middle school and older can go to college tuition-free.
• Funding for three LMPD recruit classes as part of a three-year plan to get to 1,200 officers by the end of FY25, including laterals and rehires. The budget also allocates $6 million for the first phase of a new LMPD training facility – land acquisition and design.
• $412,000 to expand hours and programming at community centers, in addition to previously announced plans to spend $8.5 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP) dollars, over three years, for the Office for Youth Development to create a data-driven youth development system for 10- to 24-year-olds – because, the Mayor said, “public safety also means giving our kids safe places to be.”
• Investments in the successful Clean Collaborative initiative, as well as five mowing cycles and $22 million to pave roads and repair sidewalks, in addition to $500,000 for scooter and bike lanes.
• And to help provide stability in coming years when American Rescue Plan (ARP) and CARES funds are exhausted, the Mayor proposes $10 million for the city’s Rainy Day Fund and $15 million to cover potential budget shortfalls in future fiscal years.

Louisville Metro Council’s Budget Committee has released its schedule for reviewing Mayor Greg Fischer’s proposed 2022-2023 Capital and Operating Budgets.

The Committee will review the proposal over the months of May and June. The Metro Council extended the budget review process by an extra month beginning in 2017, in order to hear input from the community and thoroughly review and discuss the budgets for each department and agency of Metro Government.

This year, more than 37 hours of hearings have been scheduled with dozens of Metro agencies, and two hearings are specifically dedicated to public comment.

The Committee will begin budget hearings on Monday, May 9 at 3:00 p.m., with an overview of the proposed budget. This first hearing will focus on projected Revenue, Operations, Capital and Debt, followed by a discussion of the budget for the Office of Management and Budget.

The public will have two different ways to participate in the budget process and share their thoughts. First, an online form for written comments will be available starting April 28 at 5:00 p.m. on the Metro Council website: https://louisvilleky.wufoo.com/forms/z1ls6po10gjsdnk/. The written comments will close on June 3 at 5:00 p.m.

Second, the Committee’s schedule will include two opportunities for the public to speak about the budget in person at City Hall. (A virtual option through WebEx will also be available.)

• May 18, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. (To participate in-person or virtually, speakers must sign up using a link on the Metro Council website. The link will be active on May 17 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
• June 2, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.  (To participate in-person or virtually, speakers must sign up using a link on the Metro Council website. The link will be active on June 1 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

Information and guidance for speaking at the Committee Public Hearings can be found here: https://louisvilleky.gov/metro-council/document/guidance-public-addresses-public-budget-hearings-fy22-23

All applicants for External Agency funding who wish to speak about their applications or funding are strongly encouraged to speak on May 18. (It is not required and only one speaker from each organization will be allowed.)

A complete schedule of meetings can be found here: https://louisvilleky.gov/metro-council/document/fiscal-year-23-budget-hearing-schedule  

The public may watch all meetings live on Metro TV, Spectrum Cable Channel 184, on UVERSE at Channel 99, or on Facebook at  https://www.facebook.com/LouisvilleMetroCouncil. Proceedings may also be streamed live from the Metro Council Clerk’s Archived Media page at http://louisville.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2.  

Evolve502 is a community-focused organization in Louisville investing in and creating educational opportunities for our city’s youth. They provide scholarships and access to community resources to help prepare students for college, career, and successful, productive lives.

Class of 2022, visit the website to learn more and to apply for a scholarship. 

We need your help to report potholes:

1. Use an online form by clicking here.
2. Use Twitter by sending the location of the hole to @LouMetro311 and include the hashtag #502pothole.
3. Call Metro311 or 574-5000 to report potholes or any other issues.
4. To report a pothole on an interstate in Jefferson County, go to the “contact us” dropdown menu and select “report a hazard” on KYTC’s website http://transportation.ky.gov or click here.

Forest Fest returns in 2022 after a two year hiatus!

We are excited to announce, after a 2 year hiatus, the return of Jefferson Memorial’s 15^th Annual Forest Fest on Saturday, May the 21^st.  

We are anticipating a large attendance this year upon Forest Fest's return and the desire for live music by the community.

Louisville Metro Department of Corrections is hiring, and offering a $2,000 recruitment incentive, in addition to paid vacation, compensated sick time, hazardous duty retirement, job security, free college for FOP members and immediate family, and full time sworn peace officer status. To apply, or for more information go to louisvilleky.gov/government/corrections.