Louisville Metro Government Oversight/Audit and Appointments Committee Meeting

The Government Oversight/Audit and Appointments Committee met on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. in Council Chambers and via video teleconference. Chair Donna L. Purvis presided; all 10 committee members were present, with a quorum established. The committee held one ordinance, recommended an amended ordinance for approval, and acted on multiple board appointments and reappointments.

Pending Legislation

• O-009-26, the Safety and Accountability for Everyone (SAFE) Law amendment to LMCO Chapter 36, remained held in Committee with no vote taken.
• O-161-26, amending LMCO Section 50.24 on the Debt Service Adjustment, was considered with an amendment by substitution. The amended version requires MSD to provide a written explanation for any rate increase, no matter how small, and allows Metro Council to require MSD’s executive director and a board member to appear before this committee to answer questions about an increase.

Discussion Items

• Councilman Reed, the sponsor, said he originally proposed capping MSD rate increases at CPI plus 1 percent, but after MSD made a compelling case linked to the federal consent decree and infrastructure needs, he shifted to an accountability and transparency approach rather than a fixed cap.
• Assistant County Attorney Laura Ferguson clarified current rules: rate increases above 6.9 percent require Metro Council approval, and increases above 3.9 percent but less than 6.9 percent previously required a written explanation. The amendment would require a written explanation for all rate increases.
• Chair Purvis, Councilman Owen, and Vice Chair Mulvey-Woolridge expressed support, calling the amendment reasonable and a good compromise. Councilman Piagentini supported it while saying he would have preferred direct council oversight of MSD but believed the federal consent decree made the original cap too risky. Councilman Bratcher said he would support it reluctantly, citing an ongoing state audit and his concerns about MSD management and repeated rate increases.
• The motion to adopt the amendment carried by voice vote. The motion to recommend O-161-26 for approval passed unanimously on a roll-call vote, 10-0, and was sent to Old Business.

Appointments and Reappointments

• John Neace to the Greater Louisville Lodging Management District Board (term through May 1, 2029) was recommended for approval by voice vote and sent to the Consent Calendar. Neace was not present; Althea Jackson from the Mayor’s Office presented his qualifications. Councilman Kramer supported the appointment while urging the board to help Louisville offset tourism-related costs.
• Meredith Benz to the Landmarks and Preservation District Board (term through November 30, 2028) was recommended for approval by voice vote and sent to the Consent Calendar. Benz answered questions as the architect candidate.
• Elizabeth Piper to the Landmarks and Preservation District Board (term through November 30, 2028) was recommended for approval by voice vote and sent to the Consent Calendar. Councilman Bratcher asked to discuss a Fern Creek project with her.
• Brunhilda Williams-Curington to the Landmarks and Preservation District Board (term through November 30, 2028) was recommended for approval by voice vote and sent to Old Business. Chair Purvis questioned her about the Westover neighborhood association, including reports that residents must pay dues to attend meetings. Purvis asked the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office to research whether that requirement is legal. Purvis’s motion to postpone the appointment failed for lack of a second. Councilman Piagentini and Councilman Kramer supported the appointee. Councilwoman McCraney abstained, stating Williams-Curington is a former employee of her office and she wanted to avoid any appearance of conflict.
• The reappointments of Jeff Mosley, Lonnie Wright, and Christopher Burckle to the Metropolitan Sewer District Board (terms through July 31, 2029) were considered together, recommended for approval by voice vote, and sent to the Consent Calendar. Several committee members thanked the board members for their service and noted the earlier MSD presentation did not reflect dissatisfaction with the board’s work.
• The reappointments of Amy Brooks, Vadim Kaplan, and Douglas Owen to the NuLu Review Overlay District Board (terms through February 26, 2029) were considered together, recommended for approval by voice vote, and sent to the Consent Calendar. Appointees and committee members discussed board roles, including the planning staff seat and the architect seat.

Key Outcomes

• O-009-26 remained held in Committee.
• O-161-26 was amended by substitution and recommended for approval unanimously (10-0); it will be heard before the full Metro Council.
• All board appointments and reappointments were recommended for approval, with most sent to the Consent Calendar and Williams-Curington’s appointment sent to Old Business.
• The Jefferson County Attorney’s Office was asked to review the legality of the Westover neighborhood association’s dues requirement for meeting attendance.
• Chair Purvis adjourned the meeting without objection at 6:14 p.m.