Louisville Metro Appropriations Committee Meeting – August 19, 2026

The Louisville Metro Council Appropriations Committee met on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. in Council Chambers and via video teleconference. Chair Jonathan 'JJ' Joseph called the meeting to order at 3:01 p.m.; a quorum was present. Members present: Joseph (R-12), Vice Chair Marilyn Parker (R-18), Ken Herndon (D-4), JP Lyninger (D-6), Dan Seum Jr. (R-13), and Markus Winkler (D-17). Barbara Shanklin (D-2) was excused. The committee considered 12 appropriations involving neighborhood development funds (NDF), council-originated NDFs, and capital infrastructure funds (CIF). All items were approved; six were sent to the full Council consent calendar and two were sent to old business for the August 27, 2026 Metro Council meeting. The meeting adjourned at 3:21 p.m.

Funding Legislation Reviewed

1. CIF021826PW09 – Lexington Road/Wentworth Avenue flashing beacons Added $5,000 in District 9 capital infrastructure funds to an existing $19,501 appropriation for Public Works to assemble and install two rectangular rapid-flashing beacons near Sacred Heart Academy. Regina Garr, District 9 legislative assistant, said KYTC needed changes, prompting the additional request. Approved by voice vote.

2. O-221-26 – Southwest Community Festival The agenda version appropriated $2,000 from District 14 to the Southwest Community Festival & Parade Committee for the October 10, 2026 festival. Brad Bearden, District 14 legislative assistant, said the festival is a long-standing free community event, that organizers were seeking $15,000 in total support, and that he hoped other council members would contribute; Chair Joseph said he would contribute and moved the item to old business to seek more funding. As amended, the ordinance totaled $9,750 from multiple districts and was recommended for approval 6-0. Note: the final minutes show a revised total and additional contributing districts compared with the agenda version, and the transcript cites a $15,000 fundraising target that differs from both the original and amended appropriation.

3. O-220-26 – District 15 median landscaping Appropriated $6,580 from District 15 NDF through Brightside, Inc. to Luv-It Landscaping for maintenance and beautification of five medians. Amy Luckett, District 15 legislative assistant, spoke in support. Approved 6-0; sent to the consent calendar.

4. CONDF081926FLSm – For Lady's Sake Dining for Dignity Appropriated $5,000 from NDFs ($2,500 from District 15; $1,000 each from Districts 3 and 21; $500 from District 8) for a Super Flow sponsorship at the Dining for Dignity fundraiser on October 18, 2026. Amy Luckett said all requested sponsorship funds were secured and that proceeds support period-product programs. Approved by voice vote.

5. O-204-26 – Putney Pond boardwalk Appropriated $40,000 from District 16 NDF to the City of Prospect for an ADA-compliant boardwalk around Putney Pond. Jared Townes, District 16 legislative assistant, said the allocation supports construction design. Clerk Sonya Harward noted the application was significantly updated, including its budget. Vice Chair Parker expressed support for the project while asking about NDF use in suburban cities; Assistant County Attorney Amanda Baker said council has funded special projects in suburban cities before. Approved 6-0; sent to the consent calendar.

6. O-211-26 – Taste of South Louisville Appropriated $10,000 from NDFs ($3,000 each from Districts 3 and 21; $2,000 from District 15; $750 from District 4; $500 each from Districts 9 and 24; $250 from District 17) to South Louisville Community Ministries for sponsorship of the August 22, 2026 fundraiser. Ashkan Rezai, District 21 legislative assistant, said the event features 20 local restaurants and that the sponsorship is fully funded. Approved 6-0; sent to the consent calendar.

7. CIF081926EDm – Wilder Park wayfinding signs Appropriated $5,000 from NDFs ($2,500 each from Districts 15 and 21) to Economic Development for wayfinding signs in the Wilder Park neighborhood in partnership with Louisville Tourism. Rezai said total project cost was $15,650, with $10,650 coming from a Louisville Tourism grant. Vice Chair Parker asked about the grant; Rezai said the office initiated the project and the grant was available through Louisville Tourism. Approved by voice vote.

8. O-223-26 – Highview Business Owners events Appropriated $7,410 from District 23 NDF to Highview Business Owners Association, Inc. for the October 10 Fall Festival and Parade, December 4 Holiday Fest, and website maintenance. John Torsky, District 23 legislative assistant, said the events have run 15–20 years and that costs decreased by roughly $1,000–$2,000 because of vendor changes. Approved 6-0; sent to the consent calendar.

9. O-219-26 – Shepherdsville Road/Newburg Road landscaping Appropriated $5,440 from District 2 NDF through Brightside, Inc. to Luv-It Landscaping for maintenance and beautification of three rights-of-way at the Shepherdsville Road and Newburg Road intersection. Christina Scotland, council financial analyst, spoke on behalf of District 2 and requested support. Approved 6-0; sent to the consent calendar.

10. O-215-26 – Low-income LG&E bill assistance Appropriated $10,000 from District 6 NDF to Central Louisville Community Ministries for its low-income LG&E bill assistance program. Councilman Lyninger said the appropriation was selected by his advisory council after CLCM presented on a skyrocketing need for utility and rent assistance. Approved 6-0; sent to the consent calendar.

11. NDF081926SJCAS06 – St. James Court Art Show security Appropriated $5,000 from District 6 NDF to St. James Court Art Show, Inc. for security costs at the October 2–4, 2026 art show. Lyninger expressed support and noted the office's longstanding relationship with the show. Approved by voice vote.

12. O-224-26 – Louisville Metro Police Foundation Boots, Badges, and Bids The agenda version appropriated $9,000 from multiple districts to the Louisville Metro Police Foundation for the August 15, 2026 event. Councilman Seum said the event supports law enforcement appreciation month; because the cost center could not be used this year, funds were routed through the foundation, and organizers were working toward a $15,000 sponsorship level. Seum's amendment added $1,500 each from Districts 12 and 22 and $500 each from Districts 17, 18, and 23; the motion to amend carried, with the minutes recording a new total of $13,500. The amended ordinance was then recommended for approval 5-0, with Lyninger present and Shanklin excused, and sent to old business. Note: the final minutes caption lists $15,000 as the total, which conflicts with the $13,500 stated in the amendment vote summary and with the original agenda amount.

Key Outcomes

• All 12 funding items were approved.
• Sent to the full Council consent calendar for August 27, 2026: O-220-26, O-204-26, O-211-26, O-223-26, O-219-26, and O-215-26.
• Sent to old business for additional sponsorship/full Council action: O-221-26 and O-224-26.
• Approved directly by voice vote: CIF021826PW09, CONDF081926FLSm, CIF081926EDm, and NDF081926SJCAS06.
• Chair Joseph adjourned the meeting without objection at 3:21 p.m.