Friday June 23, 2006

Mayor Jerry Abramson’s proposed budget for the community was approved 25-1 Thursday night in a vote by the Louisville Metro Council.

In late May, Abramson proposed a $731 million spending plan that invests in scores of public safety, job creation and quality of life improvements.

Here are some highlights of Abramson’s budget plan:

• No tax increases or service cuts

• Invests largest amount ever, $129.7 million, in police department

Provides police with the largest share of revenue of all departments, which includes funds to hire and train about 50 new police officers, expand firearms training center and accelerates safety vest replacement

• Expands MetroSafe to improve emergency communications and response

Invests $12.4 million in MetroSafe Phase III to purchase new communications system and renovate former Federal Reserve Building into headquarters

• Modernizes Louisville Fire Department to improve response times

Commits $17.5 million to build three firehouses, buy 17 fire trucks over four years

• Continues building more responsive Emergency Medical Service

Provides $468,000 for state-of-the-art hand-held computers to collect medical data, track response

• Invests $7.4 million in job attraction, retention and expansion

• Spends $12 million in roads, streets, bridges, sidewalks and other transportation improvements

• Builds on the ‘City of Parks’ vision with investments at scores of parks

Provides $5 million for field improvements, playground equipment, maintenance

• Continues Louisville’s Downtown renaissance

Provides $2 million for streetscape and infrastructure improvements and $1.5 million for Waterfront Park’s Big Four Bridge walkway

• Expands Animal Services to protect people and pets

Provides $750,000 to buy land, begin construction of new animal shelter and includes $110,000 to modernize phone system and add animal transport vehicles to improve customer service and efficiency

• Invests $7.2 million to help people repair, build and buy affordable homes