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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Magnet School
A public school with specialized curriculum or teaching approach (STEM, arts, Montessori, etc.) designed to attract diverse students from across […]
Read Full Definition → Main Street Program
National model for revitalizing historic commercial districts through: organization (creating stakeholder groups), promotion (marketing the district), design (improving aesthetics), and […]
Read Full Definition → Maternal Health
The health of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Maternal health outcomes in the US lag other developed […]
Read Full Definition → Mayor-Council Government
A form of local government where voters elect both a mayor (chief executive) and a council (legislature) separately. Louisville uses […]
Read Full Definition → Medicaid Expansion and Crime
Research finding that expanding healthcare access through Medicaid reduces crime rates, as people with health coverage are less likely to […]
Read Full Definition → Megawatt (MW)
A unit of electrical power equal to one million watts, used to measure data center electricity consumption. One megawatt can […]
Read Full Definition → Mental Health Crisis Response Team
Social workers or mental health professionals paired with police officers (or responding alone when appropriate) to mental health emergencies. When […]
Read Full Definition → Mental Health Services
Counseling, therapy, psychiatric care for mental health conditions. Wellness centers provide this, reducing reliance on emergency rooms and police.
Read Full Definition → Metrics
Measurements used to assess program effectiveness. Crime rates, ER visit rates, graduation rates, etc.
Read Full Definition → Metro Council
Louisville’s 26-member legislative body that passes laws and approves the budget. Like city council in other cities, but called “Metro […]
Read Full Definition → Metro Council Districts
The 26 geographic areas that each elect one member to Louisville Metro Council. Districts are redrawn every 10 years after […]
Read Full Definition → Metro Employee Compensation Plan
A comprehensive plan to provide competitive compensation and benefits to Louisville Metro government employees, ensuring fair wages that attract and […]
Read Full Definition → Metro Ethics Commission
An independent board that investigates complaints of ethical violations by Metro government employees and officials, including conflicts of interest and […]
Read Full Definition → Metro Parks System
Louisville’s public parks system managing 122 parks totaling over 15,000 acres including Cherokee, Iroquois, Shawnee, and Seneca parks plus numerous […]
Read Full Definition → Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD)
A special-purpose government agency that provides wastewater treatment and stormwater management for Louisville Metro and surrounding areas, serving approximately 860,000 […]
Read Full Definition → Microenterprise Development
Programs supporting very small businesses (typically 1-5 employees) through micro-loans, training, and technical assistance. Focuses on entrepreneurs starting businesses with […]
Read Full Definition → Mini Police Substation
Small neighborhood police office (approximately 5,000 square feet) where 6 officers work rotating shifts for 24/7 coverage, assigned to walk […]
Read Full Definition → Mini Substation
A small neighborhood police facility – typically storefront or community center space – where officers work regular shifts, interact with […]
Read Full Definition → Missing Middle Housing
Housing types between single-family homes and large apartments: duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhomes, small apartment buildings. ‘Missing’ because zoning prohibits them […]
Read Full Definition → Mixed-Income Housing
Developments intentionally including units for various income levels—market-rate, moderate-income, and low-income—in same building or community. Promotes economic integration, reduces concentrated […]
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