Voter Education Glossary
Understanding Louisville Metro Government & Policy
This comprehensive glossary explains 375 terms related to Louisville Metro government, policy, and civic engagement. Each term includes Louisville-specific context and explains why it matters to you as a voter.
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3
311 System
A non-emergency phone number and digital platform for residents to request city services, report issues, and get information. 311 systems […]
Read Full Definition → 4
45/15 Calendar
Year-round school schedule with 45 days of instruction followed by 15 days off (approximately 2 weeks), rotating throughout the year. […]
Read Full Definition → A
Absentee Ballot
A ballot you can request to vote by mail if you can’t vote in person. In Kentucky, you must have […]
Read Full Definition → Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
A small secondary housing unit on the same lot as a single-family home. Examples: garage apartments, basement units, backyard cottages, […]
Read Full Definition → Achievement Gap
The persistent disparity in academic performance between different groups of students, particularly between white students and students of color, and […]
Read Full Definition → Affordable Housing Crisis
The shortage of housing that low- and moderate-income families can afford, typically defined as spending no more than 30% of […]
Read Full Definition → After-School Programs
Supervised activities and enrichment programs for school-age children during the hours between school dismissal and parents’ return from work, typically […]
Read Full Definition → Air Pollution Control District (APCD)
The local government agency responsible for monitoring air quality and enforcing air pollution regulations within Louisville Metro. APCD issues permits […]
Read Full Definition → Air Quality
Measure of pollutants in air, tracked by EPA Air Quality Index (AQI). Poor air quality causes asthma, heart disease, and […]
Read Full Definition → Air Quality Monitoring
Measuring concentrations of air pollutants like particulate matter (PM2.5), ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and volatile organic compounds to assess health risks […]
Read Full Definition → Anti-Displacement
Policies and programs preventing existing residents from being forced out of their neighborhoods by rising rents, property taxes, or other […]
Read Full Definition → Apprenticeship Program
Structured training combining paid on-the-job learning with classroom instruction, resulting in skilled trade certification. Typically 2-5 years. Apprentices earn while […]
Read Full Definition → Appropriation
Money officially allocated by Metro Council for a specific purpose. Once appropriated, departments can spend it. Think of it like […]
Read Full Definition → Audit
Independent review of city finances to ensure accuracy and compliance. Annual audits required by law. —
Read Full Definition → B
Backup Power Generation
Diesel or natural gas generators that provide electricity to data centers during utility power outages, ensuring continuous operation. A large […]
Read Full Definition → Bail Reform
Reducing reliance on cash bail (where only rich people can afford to leave jail before trial) and using risk assessment […]
Read Full Definition → Balanced Budget
Revenue equals expenditures – no deficit spending. Required by law for Louisville. Dave’s budget is fully balanced.
Read Full Definition → Ballot Access
The requirements a candidate or political party must meet to appear on the ballot. In Kentucky, candidates for Louisville Mayor […]
Read Full Definition → Ballot Measure
A question placed on the ballot for voters to decide directly, rather than through elected representatives. In Kentucky, ballot measures […]
Read Full Definition → Ban the Box
Policy removing criminal history questions from initial job applications (the ‘box’ asking about convictions), delaying background checks until later in […]
Read Full Definition → Beat Policing
A law enforcement strategy where officers are permanently assigned to specific geographic areas (beats) to build relationships with residents, understand […]
Read Full Definition → Bike Infrastructure
Facilities enabling safe cycling: protected bike lanes (physical separation from traffic), conventional bike lanes (painted), multi-use paths, bike parking, and […]
Read Full Definition → Board of Zoning Adjustment (BOZA)
A quasi-judicial board that hears appeals of zoning decisions and grants variances (exceptions) to zoning rules when strict application would […]
Read Full Definition → Body Cameras
Wearable video cameras that record police interactions with the public, providing evidence for investigations and accountability. When implemented with clear […]
Read Full Definition → Body-Worn Cameras
Small video cameras attached to police uniforms that record officer interactions with the public. LMPD officers are required to wear […]
Read Full Definition → Bond
A loan the city takes out for major capital projects (like building a new library). Paid back over many years, […]
Read Full Definition → Bond Issue
Government borrowing for major capital projects (roads, sewers, buildings) by selling bonds that investors purchase, receiving interest over 10-30 years. […]
Read Full Definition → Brady List
A confidential list of police officers who have credibility problems (lying, evidence tampering) that prosecutors must disclose to defense attorneys […]
Read Full Definition → Broadband Access
High-speed internet service capable of supporting modern online activities like video conferencing, streaming, remote work, and online education. The FCC […]
Read Full Definition → Brownfield Redevelopment
Cleaning up and reusing contaminated industrial sites for new development. Federal and state programs provide funding and liability protections for […]
Read Full Definition → Budget Committee
The Metro Council committee responsible for reviewing the mayor’s proposed budget, holding budget hearings, and recommending changes before the full […]
Read Full Definition → Budget Variance
The difference between what was budgeted and what was actually spent. If we budget $10M for roads and spend $12M, […]
Read Full Definition → Budget-Neutral
A policy or program that doesn’t increase the total budget—it’s funded by reallocating existing spending, eliminating waste, or finding new […]
Read Full Definition → Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
High-quality bus service with dedicated lanes, level boarding, off-board fare payment, and frequent service (every 5-10 minutes). Provides rail-like experience […]
Read Full Definition → C
Campaign Contribution Limits
The maximum amount individuals and organizations can donate to political candidates. In Kentucky, individuals can give up to $2,000 per […]
Read Full Definition → Campaign Finance
The system regulating how political candidates raise and spend money for their campaigns. In Kentucky, candidates must report all contributions […]
Read Full Definition → Capital Budget
Money spent on long-term assets like buildings, roads, and equipment that last multiple years. If it lasts longer than one […]
Read Full Definition → Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
Louisville Metro’s multi-year plan for major infrastructure investments like roads, sewers, parks, buildings, and equipment typically costing over $100,000 and […]
Read Full Definition → Capital Outlay
Purchases of equipment, vehicles, or infrastructure that last multiple years. A new fire truck is capital outlay. Gasoline for the […]
Read Full Definition → Cash Bail Reform
Changes to the bail system to reduce jailing people simply because they’re poor. Traditional cash bail requires defendants to pay […]
Read Full Definition → CEDAW
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. UN treaty establishing standards for women’s rights that Dave […]
Read Full Definition → Chronic Disease Management
Ongoing medical care, monitoring, and lifestyle support for long-term conditions like diabetes, heart disease, asthma, and hypertension. Effective chronic disease […]
Read Full Definition → City-County Merger
Louisville’s 2003 consolidation of the old city of Louisville government with Jefferson County government into one ‘Louisville Metro’ government. The […]
Read Full Definition → Civic Engagement
Active participation in community and government through voting, attending meetings, volunteering, organizing, advocacy, and working to improve communities. Civic engagement […]
Read Full Definition → Civic Technology (Civic Tech)
Technology tools and platforms that enable citizen engagement with government, facilitate community organizing, or improve civic life. Examples include apps […]
Read Full Definition → Civilian Oversight
Giving non-police citizens authority to review police policies, investigate complaints, and recommend reforms—providing an independent check on police power. Civilian […]
Read Full Definition → Civilian Oversight Board
An independent body of community members with authority to review police policies, investigate complaints, recommend discipline, and ensure accountability. Effective […]
Read Full Definition → Clawback Provision
A contract clause that allows government to recover tax incentives or grants if a company fails to meet promised job […]
Read Full Definition → Clearance Rate
The percentage of reported crimes that result in an arrest or case closure. Higher clearance rates indicate effective investigation and […]
Read Full Definition → Climate Action Plan
A strategic roadmap outlining how a city will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for climate change impacts like extreme […]
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