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 (July 1^st). On April 23^rd Mayor Greenberg delivered his fourth budget proposal to the members of the Louisville Metro Council, outlining approximately $1.35 billion in spending ($1.15 billion for the Operating Budget and $197 million for the Capital budget). The mayor’s budget fully funds the police department, fully funds our goals for paving, continues our efforts to address maintenance needs within our parks and completes the needed funding for several large capital projects. The budget appears to be a bit tighter than in years past but manages to fund essential services at adequate levels without a request for increased fees or taxes.

A Tighter Budget Outlook

The correct decision to live within our means and refrain from requesting new or additional tax revenue will create a few budgeting challenges as we review the mayor’s proposal. Recent changes in funding levels from senior nutrition and other grants from federal programs have caused Metro to either take on some of those costs or scale back some of our programs. Those changes along with the ending of certain COVID and other Federal programs (as expected) will lead to changes that Metro is ready to address. Rather than relying on these Federal funds for personnel, as other organizations have, we worked hard to reduce our reliance on Federal program funding for personnel so that when their funding runs out, we are not put in a weaker financial position.

In addition to Federal changes, Metro is also posed with having to absorb approximately $13 in additional costs associated with providing health benefits for our employees and increases in union contracts and non-union salary and wages These increases are also being addressed without having to seek new funding sources.   The mayor is projecting a 3.6% increase in general fund revenue and bonding 26% of the proposed capital projects as well as reducing operating, programmatic and contractual services in 25 Metro Departments.

Highlights from the Mayor’s FY27 Budget Proposal:

• No new taxes or fees
• $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.
• $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.
• $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.

Next Steps

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 7^th 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 25^th at the regularly scheduled meeting of the Metro Council.

Property Address:  8300 Nash Rd Rezoning, 8300 Nash Rd.

Case Number: 25-ZONE-0095

Case Information: Zoning change from m-2 to m-3 with a conditional use permit to operate an auto repair salvage yard.

For more information, please click HERE. 

Property Address:  603 Mount Holly Rd.

Case Number: 26-ZONE-0035

Case Information: A change in zoning from R-4 to R-5 Single-Family Residential on 7.9 acres.

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There are approximately 100 boards and commissions with many areas of interest, including business and economic development, land planning, parks and recreation, public health and public safety.

If you are interested in volunteering for one of Louisville Metro Government's Boards and Commissions, now is the time to start. By being a part of a board or commission, you will offer your time and your talents to improve the quality of life in our community.

There are currently or upcoming vacancies for the following boards and commissions: Building Code Board of Appeals (one vacancy), Civilian Review and Accountability (four vacancies), Downtown Management (one vacancy), Kentuckiana Works (one vacancy), Air Pollution Control District Board, 3-year term (one vacancy), Cemetery Board (two vacancies), Juneteenth Jubilee (four vacancies), Medical Center Commission of Jefferson County , Waterworks (two vacancies), and Greater Louisville Lodging Management District (four vacancies). 

To learn more, please visit Boards and Commission.