Last night (April 27th) Mayor Greenberg delivered his first budget address to the members of the Louisville Metro Council. Louisville Metro Government operates on an annual budget that unlike the Federal Government, must be balanced and must be passed prior to the start of the new Fiscal Year on the first day of July as stated by State law.
Mayor Greenberg’s proposal outlines approximately $1.1 billion in spending ($868 million for the Operating Budget and $225 million for the Capital budget). The Mayor’s proposed budget now goes to the Metro Council’s Budget & Appropriations Committee, which I am a committee member. We will participate in 40 hours of hearings that have been scheduled with dozens of Metro agencies. The Mayor’s budget proposal invests heavily in public safety, improving infrastructure and improving the delivery of government services. Some of the highlights of the budget is an investment of $26 million in paving, funding the completion of a new LMPD headquarters and health facility, as well as increased investment in parks and libraries. Other budget items of note:
- Funding to continue to narrow the gap of vacancies within our police department
- Funds to add personnel to assist in the process of construction and planning for Metro projects.
- Funding to support victim services, police training, oversight as well as technological advancements within LMPD
- Additional funding is included to support more cameras and technology focused on helping solve crimes such as vandalism and auto thefts.
- Additional funding to support increased mowing of public rights-of-way and parks
According to the Mayor, his proposal anticipates reasonable economic growth over the next year and doesn’t seek to increase our debt or establish any additional taxes.
The Committee will begin budget hearings on Monday, May 8, at 4:00 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 and Human Resources. The 2023-2024 Recommended Executive Budget Document is available online here: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/management-budget/fy24-budget.
Public Input:
The public is invited to participate in the budget process and share their thoughts. First, through an online form for written comments, which is now available. The form is located on the Metro Council website, and a direct link is here: https://louisvilleky.wufoo.com/forms/z1d6ky3v1eq239k/. The online form for comments will close on Wednesday, June 7, at 5:00 p.m.
Second, the Committee’s schedule will include an opportunity for the public to speak about the budget in-person in Metro Council Chambers on the third floor of Historic City Hall, 601 W. Jefferson Street, on Tuesday, May 30, at 6:00 p.m.
Speakers may sign up in-person beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 30. Sign-ups will be open for one hour and will close promptly at 6:30 p.m. Speakers will have up to three minutes to address the Council about the proposed budget.
The complete schedule of budget hearings is available online here: https://louisvilleky.gov/metro-council/document/fy24-budget-hearing-schedule.
The Metro Council will vote to adopt the FY 24 Budget on Thursday, June 22, at 6:00 p.m. during the regularly scheduled meeting.
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.
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve as your member of the Louisville Metro Council. Please feel free to reach out to me or my legislative assistant at any time on any budget thoughts/questions or any concerns.
Sincerely,
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