DAVE BIGGERS FOR MAYOR

Detailed Budget: FY 2025-2026

Same Money. Different Priorities. Better Louisville.

Total Budget: $1.2 billion (Same as current approved budget)

THE TRANSFORMATION IN ONE SENTENCE

Current administration’s approach: Centralized bureaucracy making decisions for neighborhoods.
Our approach: Neighborhood-focused government putting power in your hands.
The cost: Exactly the same – $1,200,000,000.

BUDGET OVERVIEW

| Category | Amount | % of Total | What’s Different |

PUBLIC SAFETY: $395,200,000

Philosophy: Prevention over reaction. Community over enforcement.

Louisville Metro Police Department: $215,000,000

Current spending: $211.6M | Our plan: $215M | Investment: $3.4M increase

Patrol & Response Operations: $144,600,000

The Difference: Instead of 2 big precincts with officers in cars, we deploy through 46 neighborhood mini substations with officers on foot.

What You’ll See:

• 46 Mini Substations – One in EVERY zip code by Year 4
• Officers on foot and bike patrols 24/7
• Visible, accessible, embedded in YOUR neighborhood
• Community meeting spaces
• 24/7 operations with rotating shifts
• Total cost: $77.4M over 4 years ($650K per station annually when fully operational)

• Rapid Response Capability – Maintained for 911 calls
• Smart deployment using real-time data
• Body cameras and accountability technology
• Officer safety equipment

• Community-First Policing
• Officers know neighborhoods by name
• Build relationships before incidents occur
• Partner with schools, churches, community centers

Mini Substation Deployment Timeline:

• Year 1: 12 substations in highest-crime areas
• Year 2: 12 more substations (24 total)
• Year 3: 12 substations (36 total)
• Year 4: 10 final substations (46 total – every zip code covered)

Investigations & Special Units: $37,800,000

Enhanced with community focus

• 12 Community Detectives (NEW) – 2 per district
• Focus on PREVENTING crime, not just solving it
• Build relationships before incidents occur
• Work with youth programs, community centers, churches
• Total cost: $3.6M annually ($300K per detective)

• Homicide, Robbery, Sexual Assault Units
• Maintain strong investigative capacity
• Victim support services
• Cold case review

• Gang Violence Prevention (not just enforcement)
• Community intervention before escalation
• Partner with youth programs for prevention

• Domestic Violence Response
• Enhanced victim services
• Prevention and support programs

Training & Professional Development: $13,000,000

Investment in officer excellence

• De-escalation training (40 hours annually per officer)
• Mental health crisis response certification
• Community policing methods
• Constitutional policing and civil rights
• Implicit bias and cultural competency
• Youth engagement techniques

Technology & Equipment: $16,000,000

21st century tools for community safety

• Real-time crime analysis center
• License plate readers (with privacy protections)
• Crime mapping and predictive analytics
• Officer safety equipment
• Body camera program expansion
• Community notification systems

School Zone Safety Program: $3,600,000 (NEW)

Protecting our children

• Automated speed enforcement cameras (proven to reduce speeds by 50%)
• Enhanced crosswalks with high-visibility markings
• Flashing speed limit signs near schools
• Physical traffic calming (speed bumps, curb extensions)
• Crossing guard program expansion
• Officer presence during drop-off/pickup times
• Safety education programs for students

Louisville Fire Department: $150,000,000

Current spending: $139.5M | Our plan: $150M | Investment: $10.5M increase

Emergency Response Operations: $98,000,000

Maintaining excellence in emergency services

• 21 fire stations maintained and staffed
• Rapid response to fires and medical emergencies
• Hazmat response capability
• Technical rescue teams
• Ambulance services coordination

Fire Prevention & Community Education: $19,500,000

PREVENTING fires before they start (NEW expanded focus)

Includes 15 Fire Prevention Centers strategically located:

• Community fire safety education
• Free home safety inspections (especially for seniors)
• Smoke detector installation programs
• Youth fire safety education in schools
• Senior safety outreach and education
• Business fire safety consulting
• Average cost: $900,000 per center (included in this budget)

Additional Prevention Services:

• Building inspections and code enforcement
• Plan review for new construction
• Fire investigation and arson prevention

Training & Professional Development: $9,000,000

• Firefighter training academy
• EMS certification and recertification
• Specialized rescue training
• Leadership development programs

Equipment & Apparatus: $19,000,000

• Fire trucks and emergency vehicles
• Protective equipment for firefighters
• Communications and dispatch systems
• Maintenance and replacement schedules

Administration: $4,500,000

• Department leadership and management
• Planning and compliance
• Community relations

Emergency Medical Services (EMS): $27,000,000

Current spending: $24.2M | Our plan: $27M | Investment: $2.8M increase

Ambulance Operations: $19,200,000

Core emergency medical response

• Advanced life support ambulances
• Paramedic staffing and coverage
• Medical supplies and equipment
• Coordination with hospitals

Mental Health Crisis Response Teams: $4,000,000 (EXPANDED)

The right response to mental health emergencies

• Social workers paired with officers for crisis calls
• Mobile crisis units available 24/7
• Follow-up case management and support
• Connection to ongoing mental health services
• Reduces inappropriate arrests and ER visits

Community Paramedic Program: $2,200,000

Preventive care in the community

• Home visits to frequent 911 callers
• Health education and monitoring
• Connection to primary care providers
• Reduces emergency calls through prevention

Training & Equipment: $1,600,000

• Paramedic continuing education
• Mental health crisis training
• Equipment and supply replacement

Codes & Regulations: $13,200,000

Elevated to Public Safety Priority (Current: $1.5M buried in other budgets)

Philosophy: Dangerous buildings, illegal dumping, housing violations – these aren’t nuisances, they’re public safety threats.

Building Safety Inspections: $5,000,000

• Proactive inspections preventing building collapse and fires
• Rental housing standards enforcement
• Construction oversight and permits
• Emergency demolitions of dangerous structures

Environmental Health: $3,200,000

• Illegal dumping enforcement and cleanup
• Pest control in public areas
• Food safety inspections
• Public health hazard response

Neighborhood Standards: $3,500,000

• Vacant property maintenance enforcement
• Property standards and blight removal
• Neighborhood quality of life protection
• Proactive code enforcement

Rapid Response Team: $1,500,000

• 48-hour response to code violations
• Emergency hazard abatement
• Coordinated enforcement with LMPD and Fire

COMMUNITY INVESTMENT: $185,000,000

Philosophy: Strong communities prevent problems before they start.

Parks & Recreation: $48,000,000

Current spending: $42.8M | Our plan: $48M

Park Maintenance & Operations: $27,000,000

• 122 parks maintained to high standards
• Clean, safe, accessible spaces for all neighborhoods
• Regular maintenance, not deferred
• Playground equipment safety and updates

Recreation Programs: $13,000,000

• Youth sports leagues (affordable for all families)
• Summer camps and programming
• Senior programs and activities
• Community fitness classes
• After-school programs

Special Facilities: $5,000,000

• Swimming pools operation and maintenance
• Community centers
• Sports complexes
• Special events and festivals

Administration & Planning: $3,000,000

• Park planning and design
• Partnership coordination
• Volunteer program management

Louisville Free Public Library: $30,000,000

Current spending: $27.5M | Our plan: $30M

Branch Operations: $19,000,000

• 18 library branches serving all neighborhoods
• Extended hours in high-use locations
• Modern collection and technology

Programs & Services: $7,000,000

• Children’s literacy programs
• Adult education and ESL classes
• Job search assistance and digital literacy
• Homework help and tutoring
• Community meeting spaces

Technology & Collections: $3,000,000

• Digital resources and databases
• Computer access and WiFi
• Book and media collections

Administration: $1,000,000

Youth Development & Violence Prevention: $55,000,000

Consolidated from scattered programs currently at $15.2M

The Problem: Louisville currently spends ~$15M on youth programs, but they’re scattered across 8 different departments with little coordination.

The Solution: Consolidate, coordinate, and massively scale up what works.

After-School & Summer Programs: $22,000,000

Safe spaces during peak crime hours (3pm-7pm)

• Programming in all 6 districts
• Arts, sports, STEM, life skills
• Healthy meals provided
• Transportation assistance
• Partnership with schools and community centers
• 3,000 youth served daily

Youth Employment Program: $12,000,000

3,000 summer jobs for teens

• Minimum wage guaranteed
• Job skills training
• Mentorship component
• Partnership with local businesses
• Pathway to permanent employment

Mentoring & Family Support: $9,000,000

One-on-one intervention for high-risk youth

• Trained mentors matched with youth
• Family case management
• Academic support
• Connection to mental health services
• Trauma-informed approach

Community Violence Interruption: $7,000,000

Street outreach preventing retaliation

• Credible messengers working in high-violence areas
• Mediation and conflict resolution
• Connection to services and opportunities
• 24/7 availability during crisis periods
• Evidence-based Cure Violence model

Youth Mental Health Services: $5,000,000

School-based counseling and support

• Licensed counselors in high-need schools
• Trauma therapy for youth exposed to violence
• Substance abuse prevention and treatment
• Connection to ongoing care

Health & Human Services: $45,000,000

NEW consolidated department for community health

18 Community Wellness Centers: $45,000,000 (NEW)

One-stop health and social services – 3 per district

Each center provides (at $2.5M per center annually):

Primary Care Clinic ($1M per center):

• Nurse practitioners and physician assistants
• Routine medical care and preventive services
• Chronic disease management
• Lab services and basic diagnostics
• Open 6 days/week, extended hours

Mental Health Services ($600K per center):

• Licensed therapists and counselors
• Substance abuse treatment
• Trauma counseling
• Psychiatric medication management
• Group therapy and support programs

Social Services Hub ($500K per center):

• Benefits enrollment assistance (SNAP, Medicaid, housing)
• Job training and placement
• Legal aid connection
• Homeless services coordination
• Family support services

Community Programs ($400K per center):

• Health education classes
• Parenting programs
• Youth activities
• Senior services
• Community meeting space

Why This Works:

• Addresses root causes of crime (poverty, addiction, mental illness)
• Reduces emergency room overuse (saves healthcare system money)
• Creates jobs in underserved neighborhoods
• Every $1 invested saves $5.60 in healthcare costs within 5 years
• Healthcare access reduces violent crime by 5.8% (research-proven)

Locations: Strategically placed in underserved neighborhoods with health deserts, coordinated with mini substations and district councils.

Community Development: $7,000,000

Focused on housing and economic empowerment

Affordable Housing: $4,000,000

• First-time homebuyer assistance
• Rental assistance for working families
• Housing rehabilitation programs
• Homeless prevention

Economic Development: $3,000,000

• Small business grants and loans
• Minority and women-owned business support
• Neighborhood commercial corridor revitalization
• Workforce development programs

INFRASTRUCTURE & SERVICES: $241,000,000

Philosophy: Basic services done right. Roads that don’t have potholes. Trash picked up on time. Water that’s safe to drink.

Public Works: $122,000,000

Current spending: $94M | Our plan: $122M | Investment: $28M increase

Road Maintenance & Repair: $52,000,000

• Pothole repair (48-hour response)
• Street resurfacing program
• Sidewalk repair and ADA compliance
• Traffic signal maintenance
• Pavement preservation

Street Lighting: $15,000,000

• LED conversion (energy efficient, cost savings)
• Dark streets initiative – lighting underserved areas
• Smart lighting with motion sensors
• Maintenance and repair

Snow & Ice Removal: $10,000,000

• Salt and equipment
• 24/7 operations during winter weather
• Priority routes clearly communicated
• Residential street coverage

Traffic Engineering: $10,000,000

• Traffic signal timing optimization
• Pedestrian safety improvements
• Bike lane infrastructure
• Vision Zero initiative for traffic safety

Facilities Maintenance: $20,000,000

• City building upkeep
• Energy efficiency upgrades
• Accessibility improvements
• Preventive maintenance

Fleet Management: $10,000,000

• Vehicle maintenance and repair
• Fuel costs
• Vehicle replacement schedule
• Equipment for all departments

Administration: $5,000,000

• Department management
• Engineering and planning
• Project oversight

Solid Waste Management: $38,000,000

Current spending: $35M | Our plan: $38M

Residential Collection: $22,000,000

• Weekly trash pickup (every neighborhood)
• Biweekly recycling
• Bulk item collection
• Consistent, reliable service

Recycling Programs: $6,000,000

• Single-stream recycling
• Drop-off centers
• Community education
• Partnership with recyclers

Waste Reduction: $3,000,000

• Composting programs
• Hazardous waste collection
• E-waste recycling
• Zero waste initiatives

Landfill Operations: $5,000,000

• Proper waste disposal
• Environmental compliance
• Methane capture and energy generation

Administration: $2,000,000

Water & Sewer Coordination: $28,000,000

Partnership with Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD)

• Stormwater management coordination
• Combined sewer overflow (CSO) reduction
• Green infrastructure projects
• Water quality monitoring
• City’s contribution to MSD partnership

Planning & Zoning: $15,000,000

Current spending: $11M | Our plan: $15M

Comprehensive Planning: $6,000,000

• Long-range planning and vision
• Neighborhood plans
• Sustainability planning
• Economic development planning

Zoning & Land Use: $5,000,000

• Zoning review and enforcement
• Variance and rezoning hearings
• Historic preservation review
• Development plan review

GIS & Mapping: $3,000,000

• Geographic information systems
• Data visualization and analysis
• Public-facing mapping tools
• Coordination with other departments

Administration: $1,000,000

Economic Development: $38,000,000

Current spending: $17M | Our plan: $38M

Business Attraction & Retention: $18,000,000

• Business recruitment
• Existing business support
• Site selection assistance
• Tax incentive programs

Workforce Development: $12,000,000

• Job training programs
• Apprenticeship support
• Career pathways
• Partnership with employers and educators

Innovation & Entrepreneurship: $5,000,000

• Small business incubators
• Startup support programs
• Technology sector development
• Innovation grants

Administration: $3,000,000

DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE: $115,000,000

Philosophy: Government closest to the people governs best. You should have a real vote on how your tax dollars are spent.

District Councils & Participatory Budgeting: $15,000,000 (NEW)

26 Metro Council Districts with real budgetary power

Direct Community Spending: $9,000,000

$1,500,000 per district – YOU vote on how it’s spent

• Community votes directly on local projects
• Examples: Playground upgrades, street lighting, community gardens, small business grants
• 30-day voting period each year
• Implementation tracked publicly
• Used in 11,500 cities worldwide

District Council Operations: $3,600,000

$600,000 per district council

• Elected neighborhood council (7-9 members per district)
• Monthly public meetings
• Staff support for council operations
• Community engagement and outreach
• Project management and oversight

Community Engagement: $2,400,000

Making participation accessible to everyone

• Language translation services
• Childcare during meetings
• Transportation assistance
• Digital and in-person voting options
• Community organizers in each district
• Education and outreach campaigns

Why This Matters:

• Decisions made by neighbors, not bureaucrats
• Tested in NYC (706+ community-chosen projects), Paris, Boston, and 11,500 cities worldwide
• Increases civic engagement 3-4x in participating neighborhoods
• Your tax dollars, your vote on how they’re spent

Digital Democracy Platform: $8,000,000 (NEW)

Real-time transparency and public engagement

Technology Development: $4,000,000

• Public budget dashboard (updated daily)
• Real-time spending tracker
• Department performance metrics
• Mobile app for civic engagement
• Online participatory budgeting system

Data & Transparency: $2,500,000

• Open data portal with all city information
• Contract database (searchable by public)
• 311 request tracking (see status in real-time)
• Crime statistics dashboard
• Department scorecards and accountability metrics

Community Engagement Tools: $1,500,000

• Online town halls and feedback
• Neighborhood-specific information
• Multi-language accessibility
• SMS notification system for updates
• Digital suggestion box with public responses

The Promise: You’ll know where every dollar goes, how every department performs, and you’ll have a voice in decisions.

Mayor’s Office: $10,000,000

Reduced from $12.4M (saving $2.4M)

Streamlined, servant-leadership approach

Executive Leadership: $4,500,000

• Mayor and chief of staff
• Deputy mayors (reduced from 6 to 3)
• Executive assistants
• Policy advisors

Community Relations: $2,500,000

• Neighborhood liaisons
• Community outreach
• Public events and engagement
• Constituent services (311 coordination)

Communications: $2,000,000

• Press office and media relations
• Social media and digital communications
• Public information and transparency
• Translation services

Operations: $1,000,000

• Office operations and supplies
• Travel and professional development
• Special projects and initiatives

What Changed: Cut bureaucracy, increased community connection. More neighborhood liaisons, fewer deputy mayors.

Metro Council Support: $8,000,000

Current spending: $5.8M | Our plan: $8M

Council Operations: $4,500,000

• 26 Metro Council members
• Council staff and support
• Committee operations
• Legislative research

Independent Budget Analysis: $2,000,000

• Professional budget analysts working FOR the Council
• Independent review of mayor’s proposals
• Fiscal impact analysis
• Performance auditing

Civic Engagement: $1,500,000

• Public hearings and meetings
• Constituent services
• Community outreach
• Transparency and accessibility

Law Department: $18,000,000

Current spending: $14.5M | Our plan: $18M

• Legal representation for city government
• Contract review and negotiation
• Litigation management
• Legal advice to all departments
• Civil rights compliance

Finance & Treasury: $28,000,000

Current spending: $24M | Our plan: $28M

Financial Management: $17,000,000

• Accounting and financial reporting
• Budget preparation and monitoring
• Revenue collection
• Payroll processing

Treasury Operations: $7,000,000

• Cash management
• Debt management
• Investment oversight
• Banking relationships

Auditing & Compliance: $4,000,000

• Internal auditing
• Compliance monitoring
• Financial controls
• External audit coordination

Human Resources: $15,000,000

Current spending: $11.5M | Our plan: $15M

• Employee recruitment and hiring
• Benefits administration
• Labor relations and union negotiations
• Training and professional development
• Employee wellness programs
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives

Information Technology: $13,000,000

Current spending: $19M | Our plan: $13M (efficiency gains through consolidation)

Technology Infrastructure: $7,000,000

• Network and systems maintenance
• Cybersecurity and data protection
• Hardware and software
• Cloud services and hosting

Application Development: $4,000,000

• Custom software for city operations
• Digital service delivery
• Integration and automation
• Public-facing applications

Support Services: $2,000,000

• Help desk and technical support
• End-user training
• Vendor management
• IT project management

EMPLOYEE RAISES (4-YEAR PACKAGE): $136,600,000

Philosophy: You can’t deliver excellent city services with underpaid, overworked employees.

Year 1 Raises: $27,400,000

7% across-the-board raise for all city employees

• Police/Fire/EMS: $15,000,000
• Public Works: $3,500,000
• Parks/Library: $5,200,000
• All Other Departments: $3,700,000

Years 2-4 Raises: $109,200,000 total

5% annual raises in Years 2, 3, and 4 (compounding to 24% total over 4 years)

• Year 2: $28,800,000 (5% on new base after Year 1)
• Year 3: $39,200,000 (5% on new base after Year 2)
• Year 4: $41,200,000 (5% on new base after Year 3)

Why This Matters:

• Reduces turnover by 35-50%
• Attracts and retains better talent
• Improves morale and service quality
• Makes Louisville competitive with surrounding counties
• Saves money long-term (training new employees costs $5,000-$15,000 each)

SUPPORT SERVICES: $127,200,000

The unglamorous but essential budget items

Property Management: $10,000,000

• City-owned building maintenance
• Real estate management
• Lease negotiations
• Space planning and allocation

Purchasing & Procurement: $8,000,000

• Centralized purchasing
• Vendor management
• Contract administration
• Surplus property disposal

Risk Management: $6,000,000

• Insurance coverage for city operations
• Claims management
• Safety programs
• Risk assessment and mitigation

Other Support Services: $103,200,000

Debt Service: $52,000,000

• Bond payments on existing city debt
• Interest on long-term obligations
• Required by law

Pension Contributions: $34,000,000

• City’s contribution to employee retirement funds
• Required by contract and law

Rainy Day Fund / Emergency Contingency: $12,000,000

• Emergency reserve for unexpected events
• Natural disasters, economic downturn
• Fiscal responsibility and stability

Miscellaneous: $5,200,000

• Unallocated contingency
• Small projects and initiatives
• Budget adjustments during the year

THE TRANSFORMATION IN NUMBERS

What’s DIFFERENT (Not What’s NEW)

We’re not creating new programs out of thin air. We’re transforming how Louisville uses existing resources.

| Current Approach | Our Approach | Budget |

FUNDING SOURCES

Where does Louisville’s $1.2B come from?

This budget proposal assumes the same revenue sources as the current budget:

• Occupational License Tax: ~$425M (1.45% city, 0.75% county services)
• Property Taxes: ~$240M
• Insurance Premium Tax: ~$187M
• Intergovernmental Revenue: ~$160M (state and federal grants)
• Fees and Charges: ~$107M (permits, licenses, service fees)
• Other Revenue: ~$81M (fines, interest, miscellaneous)

Total: $1,200,000,000

No tax increases. No new revenue sources. Just different priorities.

IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE

YEAR 1 (Months 1-12)

Immediate Actions:

• Establish participatory budgeting system for 26 Metro Council districts (first cycle in Month 3)
• Launch Digital Democracy Platform (Month 2)
• Implement 7% employee raises (Day 1)
• Begin LMPD reorganization

First Deployments:

• 12 mini substations in highest-crime areas (operational by Month 10)
• 18 community wellness centers (strategically placed)
• Participatory budgeting process for Year 2 budget (voting in Month 9)
• 5 fire prevention centers in high-risk areas

Youth Programs:

• Consolidate scattered programs into unified Youth Development department (Month 1)
• Launch expanded after-school programs (Month 3, start of school year)
• Summer jobs program for 3,000 teens (Month 6)

YEAR 2 (Months 13-24)

• 12 more mini substations (24 total)
• 6 more wellness centers (12 total)
• 5 more fire prevention centers (10 total)
• Second round of participatory budgeting ($9M in community projects)
• Full implementation of youth violence prevention programs
• 5% employee raises

YEAR 3 (Months 25-36)

• 12 mini substations (36 total)
• 3 more wellness centers (15 total)
• 5 more fire prevention centers (15 total)
• Evaluation and refinement based on data
• 5% employee raises

YEAR 4 (Months 37-48)

• Final 10 mini substations (46 total – every zip code)
• Final 3 wellness centers (18 total – 3 per district)
• Full implementation of all programs
• Four-year evaluation and community feedback for next budget cycle
• 5% employee raises

ACCOUNTABILITY & TRANSPARENCY

Real-Time Metrics (Updated Daily on Public Dashboard)

Public Safety:

• Crime rates by neighborhood
• Police response times
• Use of force incidents
• Community trust scores (quarterly surveys)
• Mini substation foot patrol hours

Community Health:

• Wellness center visits per capita
• Reduction in ER usage for primary care
• Youth program participation rates
• Mental health service access

Democratic Engagement:

• Participatory budget participation rates
• District council meeting attendance
• Digital platform usage statistics
• Resident satisfaction scores (quarterly)

Government Efficiency:

• Budget variance (planned vs. actual spending)
• Project completion rates and timelines
• 311 response times
• Employee satisfaction scores

Independent Oversight

• Metro Council’s Independent Budget Analysis office
• Annual performance audits by external auditors
• Quarterly public reports to District Councils
• Community scorecards for each department

Public Access

• Every dollar spent published in real-time
• All contracts searchable online
• Department performance metrics public
• Monthly “Office Hours” in each district where you can ask the mayor anything

COMPARISON TO CURRENT BUDGET

Where We’re CUTTING:

| Item | Current | Our Plan | Savings |

Where We’re INVESTING:

| Item | Current | Our Plan | Change |

The Math Works Because:

We’re reallocating within the existing $1.2B budget:

1. Direct Cuts: $23.4M from bureaucracy and consolidation
2. Program Consolidation: Youth programs currently scattered at $15.2M → centralized at $55M (many programs already exist, just fragmented and inefficient)
3. Priority Shifts: Moving money from reactive spending (administration, overhead) to preventive programs (community policing, youth programs, health services)
4. Revenue-Neutral: Same total budget as current administration

Total Budget: Unchanged at $1,200,000,000 ✓

WHY THIS BUDGET WORKS

It’s Based on Evidence

Crime Reduction:

• Boston reduced youth homicides 63% through community-based prevention (Operation Ceasefire, 1996-2000)
• Los Angeles reduced violent crime 18% in areas with prevention programs (GRYD, 2011-2018)
• Newark reduced shooting victims 35% and homicides 55% through community partnerships (2013-2022)

Healthcare ROI:

• Every $1 in preventive healthcare saves $5.60 in healthcare costs within 5 years
• Healthcare access reduces violent crime by 5.8% (Medicaid expansion studies)
• Mental health treatment saves $4-5 in emergency services and criminal justice costs per $1 invested

Youth Programs:

• Every $1 invested in evidence-based youth programs saves $7 in criminal justice costs
• After-school programs reduce youth crime by 20-30% during peak hours (3pm-7pm)

Participatory Budgeting:

• Used in 11,500 cities worldwide
• Increases civic engagement 3-4x in participating neighborhoods
• NYC has funded 706+ community-chosen projects since 2011

It’s Realistic

• 4-year implementation timeline
• Phased rollout starting with highest-need areas
• Built on existing city infrastructure where possible
• Realistic cost estimates based on comparable programs
• Contingency funding for unexpected challenges

It’s Accountable

• Real-time public dashboard with all spending
• Quarterly reports to District Councils
• Independent audits and oversight
• Community scorecards for every department
• Your vote on $577K per district in spending

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: How is this the same budget amount if you’re adding so many programs?

A: We’re not adding as much as we’re reallocating. Many of these “new” programs already exist in fragmented form across multiple departments. For example:

• Youth programs: Currently $15.2M scattered across 8 departments → Consolidated to $55M with efficiency gains
• Police: Currently $211.6M heavy on admin → $215M heavy on patrol (more officers in neighborhoods)
• The $23.4M in bureaucracy cuts funds the genuinely new programs (wellness centers, district councils, etc.)

Q: Will this require cooperation from department heads?

A: The Mayor sets the budget. Department heads implement it. If a department’s budget is set at a specific amount, they operate within that. That’s how budgetary authority works.

Q: What if revenues decline?

A: We maintain a $12M rainy day fund for exactly this scenario. Additionally, the District Councils’ $9M in participatory spending could be reduced or delayed in a severe revenue shortfall. Core services (police, fire, trash, roads) would be protected.

Q: Is one mini substation per zip code enough?

A: It’s a starting point. Some zip codes may eventually need 2-3 substations as the program proves successful. Year 4 evaluation will guide future expansion using community feedback and crime data.

Q: How will you staff 18 wellness centers?

A: Partnership with existing healthcare systems (Norton Healthcare, UofL Health, Federally Qualified Health Centers). Many will be co-located with existing facilities. We provide funding; they provide clinical expertise and staffing pipelines.

Q: Won’t police union resist the changes?

A: We’re not cutting police funding – we’re increasing patrol by $15.6M. We’re not laying off any officers. We’re moving them from desk jobs to community policing roles most officers prefer. Proactive union engagement (not confrontation) is part of implementation strategy.

Q: Why participatory budgeting instead of just doing what’s needed?

A: Because neighborhoods know their needs better than bureaucrats. A playground in one neighborhood, street lighting in another, small business grants in a third – these decisions are better made by residents than by politicians. It’s called democracy.

THE CHOICE LOUISVILLE FACES

Current administration’s Approach:

✗ Bureaucracy over community investment
✗ Reactive policing from big precincts
✗ Decisions made behind closed doors
✗ Youth programs fragmented and underfunded
✗ No community health infrastructure
✗ Status quo that’s not working

Our Approach:

✓ $115M in democratic governance and community power
✓ Preventive policing from 46 neighborhood substations
✓ You vote on $577K per district in spending
✓ $55M consolidated youth violence prevention
✓ 18 community wellness centers addressing root causes
✓ Transformation that evidence shows works

The Cost:

Exactly the same: $1,200,000,000

The difference is where every dollar goes and who decides.

CONCLUSION

This budget is not a wish list. It’s a blueprint for transformation using the exact same resources Louisville already has.

Same money. Different priorities. Better Louisville.

Every number in this budget is defensible. Every program is evidence-based. Every promise is funded.

We’re not asking Louisville to spend more. We’re asking Louisville to spend smarter.

The question isn’t whether we can afford this budget.

The question is: Can we afford NOT to make this change?

Prepared by: Dave Biggers for Mayor Campaign
Date: October 19, 2025
Contact: dave@rundaverun.org
Website: rundaverun.org

This is how we build a Louisville that works for everyone.