Louisville Metro Council approves amended Fiscal Years 2022-2023 Capital and Operating Budgets

Increased funding will go to paving, sidewalks, parks, homeless services, and more

Louisville – The Louisville Metro Council unanimously approved the amended Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Capital and Operating Budgets on Thursdays, June 23. 

Ahead of Thursday’s full Council vote, the Budget Committee also passed both amended budgets unanimously. After two months of hearings and public input, the Budget Committee focused on making prudent fiscal decisions that allow for an increase in funding for paving roads and alleys, sidewalks, libraries, parks, homeless services, and more without any additional borrowing.

Review the highlights of the approved budgets here. 

The following Metro Council members have issued statements regarding the budgets:

Metro Council President David James (D-6)

“While there is never enough money to do all of the things that really need to be done, I feel this budget makes great strides in addressing many of the issues that needed to be funded. I want to thank the Budget Committee and staff that worked so hard to put together this challenging budget. I also want to thank all of the citizens that took the time to make their concerns and ideas known as it relates to the budget.”

Budget Committee Chair Bill Hollander (D-9)

“When I sponsored an ordinance in 2016 to double the amount of time Metro Council had to review and amend the Mayor’s recommended budget, the process we saw this year is what I hoped for – significant public input at meetings and in written comments, more time for hearings where questions are posed and answered, and an increased opportunity for deliberations to improve the budget in a fiscally prudent manner.  I am grateful to the public, my colleagues, and the administration for all their work this year and in each of the five years I have served as Chair of the Budget Committee.”

Budget Committee Vice-Chair Kevin Kramer (R-11)

“The amendment proposed today represents not just new projects and priorities, but also the effective work of the Metro Council’s Budget committee. The past two months of hearings have yielded savings and sought efficiencies allowing us the opportunity to add millions towards increased paving, sidewalk repair and park improvements without increasing debt or adjusting revenue projections. I thank each member of the committee as well as the many citizens who participated in these efforts.”

Majority Caucus Chair Markus Winkler (D-17)

“This budget, coupled with the American Rescue Plan money we have allocated to date, make historic investments in the areas most important to our residents. These include public safety, homelessness, affordable housing, infrastructure, and our public assets such as parks and libraries. These investments are spread across all geographic areas of our county and the fact that we were able to accomplish this in a fiscally responsible manner is something every Louisvillian should be excited about and will benefit from.” 

Minority Caucus Chair Anthony Piagentini (R-19)

"This budget continues to focus on infrastructure and deferred maintenance improvements while reducing some of the Mayor's proposed reoccurring expenditures to protect future budgets from being out of balance. The changes Council made include record funding for road, sidewalk and alley paving, record funding for one-time deferred maintenance projects, and reductions in the Mayor's proposed headcount growth in non-public safety departments. Further, the investments in infrastructure are far more equally distributed throughout the city reaching into both urban and suburban areas. This focus on fiscal sustainability and infrastructure needs will continue to setup this city for success in the future."

Councilman Jecorey Arthur (D-4)

"Every Louisvillian should be proud of our record investments in social services. We get millions for affordable housing, victim support, mental health, and youth programs. Let's keep fighting for even more in years to come."

Councilwoman Cassie Chambers Armstrong (D-8)

"I’m pleased to see this budget includes funding for our city’s aging physical infrastructure, like $1 million for alley repairs, as well as building community infrastructure, like providing a right to counsel for low-income families facing eviction. Both are important to create a vibrant, thriving city.”

Councilman Mark Fox (D-13)

“I am very proud for what this revised budget provides for District 13. We will be able to do some innovative things in our Jefferson Memorial Forest and begin a reimagination of Nelson Hornbeck Park that is long overdue. Our primary responsibilities such as public safety and infrastructure were addressed first, then we looked for things that make an everyday impact in people’s lives.”

Councilman Scott Reed (R-16)

“Record investments in paving and sidewalk repair will have a dramatic impact on the condition of our roads and continues our focus on addressing needed infrastructure inadequacies. Our focus on adding millions in funding towards basic needs, while not increasing the debt of Metro Government as well as setting the tone for even more investment in the future should position our city well for years to come.”

Councilman Robin Engel (R-22)

“The Metro Council was able to create a bipartisan budget that successfully represents all portions of the community. I appreciate our continued focus on giving those protecting our community the resources they need to grow in both number and knowledge. I am hopeful that our efforts will help lead the way to safer streets. I am also proud to see the Metro Council continue to step up to improve our infrastructure by investing in roads, sidewalk, parks and libraries – all of which are vital services for our city.”

Councilman James Peden (R-23)

“The Metro Council has shown through this budget process that we are serious about addressing infrastructure as well as the critical needs of the entire community. By increasing investment in paving to over $31 million and funding $3.25 in sidewalk repairs as well as investing millions in improving library services, parks and helping the homeless – we are making strides towards improving the basic services people expect from local government.”

Councilwoman Amy Holton Stewart (D-25)

"I am proud to have worked collaboratively with my colleagues on the Metro Council, Mayor's Office and Metro Departments to secure funding for the needs of my constituents in District 25 and for our entire city. Thanks to our work we have prioritized public safety, infrastructure and homeless outreach while funding the myriad of other needs of our neighbors. I am personally proud to fund a homeless outreach van for communities like mine that are seeking additional resources to help address the homeless camps popping up in our backyards and behind our businesses. I am proud that we have affirmed our commitment to the long-term success of Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing with a significant investment and I am proud to continue the fight for more recreational opportunities and quality of life amenities for our children and Southwest Louisville families."