LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Five months after being sworn in, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg has submitted his proposed budget for fiscal year 2024. Greenberg’s budget comes out to $1.1 billion, an increase of 3.5% over last year’s.

What You Need To Know

  • Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg unveiled his budget proposal Thursday

  • It totals $1.1 billion, a 3.5% increase over last year's budget

  • Over $200 million is set aside for public safety

  • Metro Council has to approve a budget by July 1

“We’re ready to make big things happen and implement small changes for big results. That’s why I humbly ask for your support of this budget,” Greenberg said, touting it as a “down payment on the future” of Louisville.

Public safety is at the forefront of the mayor’s budget. Louisville Metro Police would receive $222 million. The budget also allocates $500,000 for the 911 Crisis Call Diversion Program, which sends mental health professionals to people in crisis as opposed to officers.

Over $2 million is reserved for the hiring of approximately 30 newly created positions in LMPD to oversee reforms and improvements to the department outlined in the DOJ report.

Additionally, $1 million is earmarked for an enhanced LMPD recruiting strategy.

“We know there is much more that we have to do to make our city safer, and to end this staggering and sickening outbreak of gun violence,” Greenberg said. “And while LMPD obviously plays a critical role, we all know we cannot just police our way to safety.”

Greenberg’s proposal would also invest $15 million into an affordable housing fund.

“In addition, Metro will purchase the buildings that once housed Watson Lane Elementary School in the southwestern part of our city and repurpose it into affordable housing,” Greenberg said.

The proposal would invest millions into housing and services for people experiencing homelessness. This includes the creation of a new women’s day shelter, at a cost of $3 million.

If adopted, the budget would set aside $6 million in subsidies to attract grocery stores to underserved parts of Louisville, such as downtown and the West End.

Various additions to parks are also proposed, including adding wi-fi to public parks, the expansion of operating hours at community centers, and campground improvements in Jefferson Memorial Forest.

“Being thoughtful in our investments and looking for savings to make it possible for us to think about big things in the future,” Greenberg said.

Raises for city employees are also on the table. The largest line item expense is $21 million for street paving.

A Metro Council committee will hold the first budget hearing Monday, May 8, at 4:00 p.m.

Louisville Metro Council will work over the next few months to complete a budget for next year. It must be approved by July 1.

Related Stories