About Metro Government

Louisville Metro
On January 6, 2003, Jefferson County and the City of Louisville merged to form a consolidated local government which serves a community of 386 square miles and 700,000 residents.

Louisville Metro Government has all of the authority of the two previous governments. It's chief executive is a mayor elected city-wide. A legislative council - called the Metro Council - is composed of 26 members nominated and elected by district.
 
Mayor
The mayor is the top executive and oversees Louisville Metro Government services ranging from police and fire protection to roads and garbage collection, from health clinics and emergency services to parks and recreation.

To be mayor, a person must be at least 25 years old and a resident of Louisville for at least one year. The mayor must continue to live in Louisville while in office. The mayor is elected to a term of four years and cannot serve more than three terms in a row.

Each year, the mayor presents the annual spending budget for Metro Government to the Metro Council for review and approval.

Metro Council
The Metro Council has 26 members, elected by voters in 26 districts.

The council is responsible for enacting ordinances (or laws), and it approves Metro Government's budget.

Members of the Metro Council must be at least 21 years old and a resident of their Louisville Metro district for at least one year. A council member must continue to live in the district while in office.