LOUISVILLE, Ky. - With a vote of 24 to 1, Louisville Metro Council approved a budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

 

What You Need To Know


  • Louisville Metro Council approves 2020-21 budget

  • Public safety received most funding

  • $700,000 for civilian review board.

  • Budget takes effect July 1

 In April, Mayor Greg Fischer proposed a continuation budget citing economic uncertainty caused by the pandemic. Recently, city officials said tax revenue was coming in higher than expected.

Despite calls to defund the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD), police operations made up the large part of the budget, as it typically does. That includes redirecting $1.6 million in federal funds to recruitment efforts to better reflect the community they serve. The Council also approved more than $700,000 to fund a Civilian Oversight System for LMPD.

The budget also emphasizes helping disadvantaged communities by allocating $3.5 million to address food deserts, $1 million for youth programs, and $20 million in CARES Act funding to help renters avoid eviction in light of the pandemic.

Mayor Fischer released the following statement regarding the budget :

"My thanks to the Metro Council for their partnership and diligence on the FY21 budget, especially Budget Committee Chairs Bill Hollander and Kevin Kramer.

When I proposed this continuation budget in April, I cited serious budget uncertainties related to COVID-19. In more recent weeks, while our funding levels for this budget are still not firmly set, there has been greater certainty on another front: We need more investment in human capital.

We are experiencing one of the most challenging times in our history, with the COVID-19 pandemic, protests against structural racism, an economic recession, and the need for police reform. Yet these challenges also present an opportunity to enact substantive transformation on many fronts, include building a more just, equitable, and compassionate community. And that starts with addressing the root causes for disparity, which is why I am pleased we were able to work with Council to increase funding for affordable housing and add funding to address vacant and abandoned properties and other neighborhood-level investments.

I am also pleased this budget advances some of our steps toward police reform, including funding for the Civilian Review Board and an office of Inspector General. And I look forward to working with the Council on how to best utilize the $1 million youth appropriation.

And I remain hopeful that Congress will soon approve additional funding for state and local governments still struggling with the impact of COVID-19 on our budgets. Additional funding would allow us to make more investments to move us closer to the goal we share for the future – a compassionate city where every person from every neighborhood has the opportunity to reach their full potential."

The new budget takes effect on July 1.