Louisville Metro Labor and Economic Development Committee Meeting - August 18, 2026

The Labor and Economic Development Committee met on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at 3:03 PM in Council Chambers and virtually. Vice Chair Crystal Bast (R-14) presided. The committee heard a special discussion on AFSCME pay scale issues and unanimously approved five resolutions, all of which were sent to the consent calendar for the August 27 full Metro Council meeting. A quorum was present with 7 members attending; Committee Member Donna L. Purvis (D-5) was excused.

Consent Calendar

• R-095-26 – A resolution appropriating $140,000 for a noncompetitively negotiated contract with the Louisville Zoological Gardens for a mentor/internship program for Jefferson Community Technical College students. (Sponsor: Josie Raymond)
• R-103-26 – A resolution appropriating $200,000 for a noncompetitively negotiated contract with Norton Children’s Medical Group for forensic medical services for abused and neglected children through LMPD. (Sponsor: Josie Raymond)
• R-106-26 – A resolution appropriating $150,000 for a noncompetitively negotiated contract with the University of Louisville Research Foundation for wastewater monitoring by Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness. (Sponsor: Khalil Batshon)
• R-107-26 – A resolution approving local incentives to KPFF, Inc. under KRS Chapter 154, Subchapter 32 for a downtown expansion creating 20 jobs with an average hourly wage of $54.76. (Sponsor: Ken Herndon)
• R-109-26 – A resolution authorizing the Mayor and Economic Development to request a $1,178,295 Kentucky Product Development Initiative grant from the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority for the Louisville Riverport Authority, including local match of $117,829.50 already in the FY27 budget. (Sponsor: Jonathan Joseph)

Public Comments & Testimony

• Cody Jones, AFSCME Council 962 staff representative, explained that in three of five AFSCME Local 2629 contracts and the single Local 3425 contract (covering zoo, parks, correctional supervisors, and library employees), wage schedule placement is based on years in a job classification rather than years of service with Louisville Metro government. He noted that most other Metro union contracts (Teamsters, FOP, firefighters) use years of service. Jones stated that AFSCME has attempted to change this language through MOUs but has been told it would “open Pandora’s box,” despite the box being open for other unions. He provided a handout estimating annual salary differences if language were changed: approximately $124,000 for zoo, $80,000 for parks, and $204,000 total for three contracts (library estimate not yet available but likely similar to zoo’s).
• Elizabeth Haigh, Louisville Free Public Library employee, testified that despite 17 years with Metro, she is paid as if she has worked only four years because of the classification-based pay structure. She stated that moving from a Teamsters contract to AFSCME reset her pay, and she is actively seeking employment outside Metro because she cannot afford to stay.
• Nick Keene, Metro Parks employee, said that because of the outdated language, he must work additional overtime just to match the pay of coworkers with similar seniority. He described the language as arbitrary, illogical, and petty.
• Dana Pryor, Louisville Zoo employee of 30 years, said that after taking a promotion to lead keeper, she was placed at step 4 of the wage schedule instead of step 12 (based on her years of service), while lower-classification keepers with fewer years now earn more per hour. She also noted that a memorandum of understanding grants staff covering her days off a higher rate based on years of service, costing her thousands of dollars annually and affecting her retirement.

Discussion Items

• AFSCME Pay Scale Issue: Committee members asked questions about the contract’s ratification process and what the council could do. Council Member Jeff Hudson (R-23) expressed sympathy but questioned the council’s role since negotiations are between the union and the executive branch. Council Member JP Lyninger (D-6) thanked the workers and noted the annual cost of fixing the issue for parks, zoo, and corrections is approximately $204,000, plus a similar amount for the library (total ~$327,000), which is less than 0.03% of the $1.2 billion Metro budget. He called it unacceptable to balance the budget on workers’ backs. Council Member Josie Raymond (D-10) asked whether analyses exist of Metro employees qualifying for public benefits and requested concrete proposals (e.g., MOUs) that the council could enact. Council Member Khalil Batshon (R-25) encouraged the union to negotiate harder and asked who in the administration they have been working with (Cody Jones replied: labor liaison Jeffrey Stanfield). No formal action was taken, but committee members expressed support and a willingness to advocate.
• R-095-26 (Zoo Internship): Steve Taylor, assistant zoo director, said the program has been in place since 1998 and has resulted in many hires. Council Member Hudson asked why it was a sole-source contract; Taylor explained no other university has shown interest. The resolution passed by voice vote.
• R-103-26 (LMPD Forensic Contract): Council Member Raymond noted Norton is the only entity in the region capable of providing the service. Lieutenant Andrew Meyer of LMPD’s Special Victims Unit was present for questions. Passed.
• R-106-26 (Wastewater Monitoring): Connie Mendel, Chief Health Strategist for Public Health and Wellness, said the University of Louisville is the only qualified entity in the region; results are available within 48 hours. Council Member Hudson asked about other cities using the same lab; Mendel said she could check. Passed.
• R-107-26 (KPFF Incentives): Ron Burse of One Louisville explained the company completed its expansion and is requesting final approval for a 1% wage assessment incentive. Hudson deferred his question after losing his screen. Passed.
• R-109-26 (Riverport Grant): Katie Littman, Deputy Director of Economic Development, said the grant will rehabilitate two loop railroad tracks to increase capacity. Miguel Zamora, Executive Vice President of the Riverport Authority, noted other infrastructure improvements (e.g., crane upgrades funded by state grants) are ongoing. Council Member Batshon praised the work. Passed.

Key Outcomes

• All five resolutions (R-095-26, R-103-26, R-106-26, R-107-26, R-109-26) were moved by Council Member Hudson, seconded by Council Member Batshon or Lyninger, and approved unanimously by voice vote. They were placed on the consent calendar for the August 27 Metro Council meeting.
• The committee took no formal vote on the AFSCME pay scale issue but heard extensive testimony. Several members committed to following up with the administration and the union to explore potential MOUs or legislative action. Council Member Lyninger suggested the cost was minimal relative to the budget. The meeting adjourned at 3:49 PM.