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.
Filter by Category:
Search Terms:
C
Cloud Computing
The delivery of computing services (servers, storage, databases, software) over the internet rather than from local devices. When you use […]
Read Full Definition → Co-Responder Model
Police officer + mental health professional responding together to certain calls. Better outcomes, safer for everyone.
Read Full Definition → Co-Responder Program
A model pairing police officers with mental health clinicians or social workers to respond together to mental health, substance abuse, […]
Read Full Definition → Collateral Consequences
Legal and social penalties that continue after people serve criminal sentences, including barriers to employment, housing, education, voting, professional licenses, […]
Read Full Definition → Collective Bargaining Agreement
The contract between Louisville Metro Government and the police union (FOP) governing officer pay, benefits, disciplinary procedures, and working conditions. […]
Read Full Definition → Colocation Facility
A data center where multiple companies rent space to house their own servers and equipment, sharing the building’s power, cooling, […]
Read Full Definition → Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO)
A system where stormwater runoff and sewage flow through the same pipes to treatment plants. During heavy rain, these combined […]
Read Full Definition → Committee System
The organizational structure where Metro Council members serve on specialized committees that review legislation before full council votes. Louisville has […]
Read Full Definition → Commonwealth Attorney
The chief prosecutor for each Kentucky county, elected to prosecute felony crimes. In Jefferson County, the Commonwealth Attorney’s office handles […]
Read Full Definition → Community Benefits Agreement (CBA)
Legally-binding contract between developers and community organizations outlining specific benefits the project will provide: local jobs, affordable housing, environmental protections, […]
Read Full Definition → Community Center
Public facilities offering recreation programs, meeting spaces, classes, and social services for neighborhood residents. Community centers typically provide gyms, fitness […]
Read Full Definition → Community Detective
Police detective assigned to a specific district focused on preventing crime through community relationships, not just solving crimes after they […]
Read Full Definition → Community Development
Efforts to improve the economic, social, and environmental conditions of specific neighborhoods through resident-led initiatives, nonprofit organizations, and government programs. […]
Read Full Definition → Community Development Corporation (CDC)
Nonprofit organizations focused on revitalizing specific geographic communities (typically low-income neighborhoods) through affordable housing development, economic development, community organizing, and […]
Read Full Definition → Community Engagement
Meaningful involvement of community members in government decisions affecting their neighborhoods—going beyond information-sharing to genuine collaboration and shared power. Authentic […]
Read Full Definition → Community Health Worker
Trusted community members trained to provide health education, connect neighbors to services, advocate for community health needs, and bridge the […]
Read Full Definition → Community Input
Opportunities for residents to provide feedback on programs and priorities. Monthly community meetings, participatory budgeting, etc.
Read Full Definition → Community Land Trust (CLT)
A nonprofit organization that owns land permanently, leasing it to homeowners or developers under long-term renewable ground leases with resale […]
Read Full Definition → Community Organizing
Bringing neighbors together to identify shared concerns, build collective power, and take action to improve their community. Community organizing empowers […]
Read Full Definition → Community Policing
A philosophy where police and residents work together as partners to solve problems and prevent crime, not just respond to […]
Read Full Definition → Community Resilience
Communities’ ability to withstand and recover from shocks (disasters, economic downturns, public health crises) through strong social networks, diverse economies, […]
Read Full Definition → Community Trust
How much residents trust police and government. Mini substations increase trust by average of 35% in cities using this model.
Read Full Definition → Community Wealth Building
Economic development strategies that build assets and ownership in communities rather than extracting wealth to distant shareholders. Community wealth building […]
Read Full Definition → Community Wellness Center
One-stop facility providing primary healthcare (nurse practitioners), mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, social services navigation, and community programs. Think […]
Read Full Definition → Competitive Pay
Salaries comparable to private sector jobs or surrounding jurisdictions. Dave’s budget brings Louisville Metro salaries in line with surrounding counties […]
Read Full Definition → Complete Streets
Streets designed for all users—pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders, and drivers—not just cars. Includes sidewalks, bike lanes, bus stops, crosswalks, and […]
Read Full Definition → Conflict Mediation
Community-based dispute resolution that addresses conflicts before they turn violent. Trained mediators help resolve disputes without police or criminal justice […]
Read Full Definition → Consent Decree
A court-enforceable agreement between a police department and the U.S. Department of Justice requiring specific reforms after a federal investigation […]
Read Full Definition → Constitutional Policing
Law enforcement practices that strictly adhere to Fourth Amendment (search/seizure), Fifth Amendment (due process), and Fourteenth Amendment (equal protection) requirements. […]
Read Full Definition → Cooling Infrastructure
The systems data centers use to prevent servers from overheating, including chillers, cooling towers, and air conditioning that can use […]
Read Full Definition → Cost Savings
Money saved through prevention vs. crisis response. Wellness centers save $2-3 for every $1 spent. Youth programs save ~$150,000 per […]
Read Full Definition → Cost-Benefit Analysis
Comparing the costs of a program to its benefits to determine if it’s worth the investment. Dave’s budget programs all […]
Read Full Definition → Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)
Specially-trained police officers who respond to mental health crises using de-escalation, communication, and connection to services rather than force or […]
Read Full Definition → Cultural Competence
The ability of individuals and organizations to effectively interact with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, recognizing cultural differences, avoiding assumptions, […]
Read Full Definition → Current Administration’s Budget
The current administration’s approved $1.2 billion budget for FY 2025-2026. Traditional approach with centralized services and reactive policing.
Read Full Definition → Cybersecurity
Protection of computer systems, networks, and data from digital attacks, unauthorized access, and damage. Government cybersecurity must protect resident data […]
Read Full Definition → D
Data Center
A large facility that houses computer servers and networking equipment used to store, process, and distribute digital information for businesses […]
Read Full Definition → Data Center Tax Abatement
Property tax reductions or exemptions offered by local governments to attract data center development, typically lasting 10-15 years. These incentives […]
Read Full Definition → Data Privacy
Protection of individuals’ personal information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. Government collects massive amounts of sensitive data (health records, […]
Read Full Definition → De-escalation Training
Teaching police officers techniques to reduce tension and resolve situations without force—using time, distance, communication, and tactical repositioning. De-escalation training […]
Read Full Definition → Debt Ceiling
Legal limit on how much the city can borrow. Set by state law and local ordinance.
Read Full Definition → Debt Service
Money used to pay back bonds (loans) the city took out for major projects. Like a mortgage payment. Louisville pays […]
Read Full Definition → Deficit
When spending exceeds revenue. Louisville cannot legally run a deficit in the general fund. Dave’s budget has zero deficit.
Read Full Definition → Density
The number of housing units or people per acre. Higher density means more homes on same land, enabling walkable neighborhoods, […]
Read Full Definition → Dental Care Access
Ability to obtain preventive and restorative dental services necessary for oral health. Dental coverage is often separate from medical insurance, […]
Read Full Definition → Digital Divide
The gap between people who have access to modern information technology (computers, smartphones, high-speed internet) and those who don’t, often […]
Read Full Definition → Digital Equity
Ensuring all residents have access to affordable internet, devices, and digital skills necessary for full participation in modern society. Digital […]
Read Full Definition → Digital Infrastructure
The physical systems that enable internet and digital services, including data centers, fiber optic cables, cell towers, and power grids. […]
Read Full Definition → Digital Services
Government services delivered online rather than requiring in-person visits or phone calls, such as permit applications, bill payment, service requests, […]
Read Full Definition → Disciplinary Matrix
A written schedule showing the range of discipline (counseling, suspension, termination) for various policy violations, ensuring consistency and transparency. A […]
Read Full Definition →