OUR PLAN FOR LOUISVILLE

A Budget That Works for Everyone

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

THE VISION

Louisville deserves a budget that invests in people, prevention, and community power. We can afford it. We just need to spend smarter.

Three Main Pillars:
1. 👮 Neighborhood policing & prevention
2. 💰 Competitive employee pay (24% compounded raises)
3. 🏛️ Community programs that work

Plus Your Voice in the Process:
🗳️ $15M Participatory Budgeting – YOU help decide neighborhood spending

1. SAFER COMMUNITIES: $506.9M

Mini Police Substations: At Least One in Every ZIP Code

What: Officers based in YOUR neighborhood, not downtown
Why: Crime prevention through community trust
Evidence: 50+ cities report 20-40% crime reduction
Timeline: Year 1: 12 stations → Year 4: All 63 operational

How it works:

• Officers walk your block daily
• 24/7 neighborhood presence
• Community meeting space
• Know residents by name
• Build trust, prevent crime

18 Community Wellness Centers

What: Healthcare in your neighborhood
Why: Address root causes of crime
Services: Primary care + mental health + addiction treatment
Cost: $36M (saves $80M in ER costs)
Timeline: 6 centers per year for 3 years

Impact:

• Walk to healthcare, don’t wait for crisis
• Mental health treatment, not jail
• Address addiction with care
• Keep families healthy

$46.7M Youth Programs

What: Consolidated youth services
Why: Prevent crime at the source

Programs:

• After-school (3-7pm when crime peaks): $20M
• 3,000 summer jobs for teens: $10.7M
• Mentoring programs: $6.7M
• Gang intervention: $5.3M
• Mental health support: $4M

Evidence: Youth employment reduces crime 35%

$24M Fire Prevention

What: Teach safety before disasters
Why: Prevent fires, save lives

Services:

• Free home inspections
• Smoke detector programs
• Public safety education
• Community workshops

Evidence: 40% fewer fires (proven nationwide)

$4M School Zone Safety Program

What: Protect children around schools
Why: Speed reduction saves lives

Programs:

• 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

Evidence: Cities with school zone cameras see 50% speed reduction, 30% fewer accidents

2. BETTER PAY: $27.4M YEAR 1 INVESTMENT

Why It Matters

The Problem:

• Louisville loses experienced employees to surrounding counties
• High turnover costs millions in training
• Lower pay = lower quality service

Our Solution:

• 24% compounded raises (7%+5%+5%+5%) across all departments
• $27.4M Year 1 ($136.6M over 4 years)
• Competitive with private sector
• Retain experienced talent

Where It Goes

Public Safety: $14M

• Police: $8M (competitive with surrounding areas)
• Fire/EMS: $6M (retain first responders)

Community Services: $4.7M

• Parks: $2.7M (better maintained facilities)
• Library: $2M (quality programming)

Infrastructure: $3M

• Public Works: $3M (fix potholes, maintain roads)

All Other Departments: $3.3M

• Admin, planning, technology, etc.

The Impact

For Employees:

• Starting police officer: $48K → $53K
• Starting firefighter: $42K → $47K
• Public works operator: $38K → $42K
• Librarian: $40K → $44K
• Parks staff: $32K → $36K

For Louisville:

• 35-50% reduction in turnover
• Better service quality
• Experienced workforce
• Long-term savings

3. COMMUNITY PROGRAMS: $233.6M

Youth Development: $46.7M

• Consolidated from scattered programs
• Clear accountability
• Evidence-based approaches
• Measurable outcomes

Wellness Centers: $36M

• 18 neighborhood locations
• Comprehensive care
• Walk-in access
• Preventive focus

Parks & Recreation: $60.1M

• Enhanced facilities
• More programming
• Better-paid staff
• Community hubs

Library System: $37.4M

• Extended hours
• Modern technology
• More programs
• Community access

Community Development: $53.4M

• Street outreach
• Conflict mediation
• Trauma support
• Community-based programs

4. YOUR VOICE: $15M

Participatory Budgeting (6 Districts)

What it is:

• YOU help decide neighborhood spending
• $1.3M per district for voting
• Community proposals
• Democratic voting
• Metro implements winning projects

How it works:
1. Community brainstorms ideas
2. Proposals developed with city staff
3. Community votes on priorities
4. Top projects get funded
5. Metro implements and reports

Why it matters:

• 3,000+ cities use this worldwide
• 90% resident satisfaction
• Better projects (community-designed)
• 40% increase in civic engagement
• 20% faster project completion

Examples from other cities:

• New playgrounds in high-need areas
• Street lighting improvements
• Community gardens
• Small business support
• Public art installations

HOW WE PAY FOR IT

No New Taxes. No Deficit Spending.

We cut waste to invest in people:

Administrative Overhead: -$14M

• Consolidate duplicate offices
• Streamline operations
• Reduce bureaucratic layers

Support Service Contracts: -$65M

• Renegotiate expensive contracts
• Bring some services in-house
• Competitive bidding

Criminal Justice Reform: -$36M

• Bail reform reduces pre-trial detention
• Mental health diversion programs
• Community-based alternatives

Position Reassignments: -$10M

• Move officers from desks to streets
• Smarter staff deployment
• No layoffs, better use of talent

Total Freed Up: $125M

Redirected to:

• Employee raises: +$13M more than current
• Enhanced public safety: +$111.7M
• Community programs: +$48.6M
• Wellness centers: +$36M
• Participatory budgeting: +$15M

Math checks out: Balanced at $1.2B

DEPARTMENT BUDGETS

Public Safety (42.2%)

• Police: $267.0M
• Fire: $192.9M
• EMS: $33.6M
• Codes & Enforcement: $13.4M
• Total: $506.9M

Community Programs (19.5%)

• Youth: $46.7M
• Wellness: $36M
• Parks: $60.1M
• Library: $37.4M
• Community Development: $53.4M
• Total: $233.6M

Employee Compensation (All Depts)

• Total: $27.4M Year 1 ($136.6M over 4 years) added across all departments

Democratic Governance (11.1%)

• Participatory Budgeting (6 Districts): $15M
• Mayor’s Office: $10.7M
• Metro Council: $8M
• Law Department: $20M
• Finance: $33.4M
• Human Resources: $16M
• Information Technology: $26.7M
• Digital Platform: $6.7M
• Total: $133.5M

Infrastructure (20%)

• Public Works: $126.8M
• Solid Waste: $46.7M
• Water & Sewer: $26.7M
• Planning & Design: $16M
• Economic Development: $24M
• Total: $240.3M

Support Services (7.1%)

• Debt Service: $33.4M
• Pensions: $13.4M
• Rainy Day Fund: $10.7M
• Property Management: $10.7M
• Purchasing: $8M
• Risk Management: $6.7M
• Miscellaneous: $2.8M
• Total: $85.6M

EVIDENCE IT WORKS

Mini Police Substations

Cities using this: Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland, San Diego, 50+ others
Results: 20-40% crime reduction, 30% increase in community trust
Why it works: Daily contact builds relationships, officers become part of community

Community Wellness Centers

Cities using this: San Antonio, Denver, Portland, Eugene, 30+ others
Results: $3 saved per $1 spent, 35% reduction in police mental health calls
Why it works: Address health issues before they become crises

Youth Employment Programs

Cities using this: Philadelphia, Chicago, Boston, New York, 100+ others
Results: 35% crime reduction, 45% better graduation rates
Why it works: Teens with jobs don’t have time for crime

Participatory Budgeting

Cities using this: New York, Paris, Chicago, Porto Alegre, 3,000+ worldwide
Results: 90% satisfaction, 40% more engagement, 20% faster completion
Why it works: Community knows what community needs

Competitive Employee Pay

Cities using this: Seattle, Austin, Durham, 50+ others
Results: 35-50% turnover reduction, 25% service quality improvement
Why it works: Better pay attracts better talent, reduces costly turnover

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

✅ Same total budget as current approved budget
✅ No new taxes on residents
✅ No deficit spending
✅ City reserves maintained
✅ All union contracts honored
✅ No employee layoffs
✅ Phased implementation over 4 years
✅ Every dollar accounted for

We’re not promising magic. We’re promising better priorities.

IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE

Year 1 (FY 2026)

✓ Employee raises: Implemented immediately
✓ Mini substations: 12 operational
✓ Wellness centers: 6 open
✓ Youth summer jobs: 3,000 teens hired
✓ Participatory budgeting: First cycle complete

Year 2 (FY 2027)

✓ Mini substations: 24 total (12 more)
✓ Wellness centers: 12 total (6 more)
✓ After-school programs: Expanded citywide
✓ Participatory budgeting: Second cycle

Year 3 (FY 2028)

✓ Mini substations: 36 total (12 more)
✓ Wellness centers: 18 total (6 more) – COMPLETE
✓ Fire prevention: Fully operational
✓ Participatory budgeting: Third cycle

Year 4 (FY 2029)

✓ Mini substations: At least one in every ZIP code – COMPLETE
✓ All programs: Full implementation
✓ Measure outcomes, adjust, improve
✓ Participatory budgeting: Fourth cycle

ACCOUNTABILITY

Public Dashboard

• Every dollar tracked online
• Real-time budget reports
• Program outcomes measured
• Community feedback integrated

Quarterly Reports

• Performance vs. goals
• Budget vs. actual
• Service quality metrics
• Public presentations

Annual Independent Audit

• Financial audit
• Program effectiveness
• Public Metro Council presentation
• Recommendations implemented

Community Access

• Open budget workshops
• Department head office hours
• Online Q&A forums
• Monthly town halls

Transparency builds trust. We commit to radical transparency.

WHO THIS HELPS

For Families

• Police you know in your neighborhood
• Healthcare close to home
• Safe programs for your kids
• Better parks and libraries
• Your voice in budget decisions

For Employees

• 24% compounded raises (competitive pay)
• Respect for public service
• Clear career paths
• Job satisfaction
• Pride in your work

For Neighborhoods

• You decide local priorities
• Responsive government
• Visible improvements
• Safer streets
• Stronger community

For Small Businesses

• Safer commercial districts
• Healthier workforce
• More disposable income in community
• Infrastructure investment
• Economic opportunity

For Louisville

• Lower crime rates
• Better health outcomes
• Stronger communities
• More engaged citizens
• Brighter future

YOUR ROLE

This budget can’t work without you.

Participate

• Attend participatory budgeting meetings
• Vote on neighborhood priorities
• Volunteer for programs
• Give feedback on services

Hold Us Accountable

• Check the public dashboard
• Read quarterly reports
• Attend town halls
• Speak up when something’s wrong

Spread the Word

• Talk to neighbors
• Share on social media
• Invite friends to meetings
• Build community

Government works best when citizens are engaged. Be engaged.

REAL TALK

Q: Can Louisville really afford this?

A: Yes. Same total budget, just spent smarter. We’re cutting waste, not services.

Q: Will this really reduce crime?

A: Evidence from 50+ cities says yes. Mini substations + youth programs + wellness centers = proven 20-40% reduction.

Q: Why should I trust this will happen?

A: Every promise is fully funded. Every program is evidence-based. Every outcome will be publicly measured.

Q: What if it doesn’t work?

A: We measure everything. If something isn’t working, we adjust. Public dashboard shows real-time results.

Q: Isn’t this just typical politician promises?

A: Read the budget. Every line item. Every dollar. Every program. It’s all there. No magic, just math.

THE DIFFERENCE

This isn’t just a budget. It’s a vision for Louisville.

A city where:

• Police officers know your name
• Healthcare is in your neighborhood
• Young people have opportunity
• Your voice actually matters
• Government serves people

Same money. Different priorities. Better Louisville.

GET INVOLVED

Website: rundaverun.org
Email: info@rundaverun.org
Budget Questions: budget@rundaverun.org

Volunteer: We need you
Donate: Every dollar helps
Vote: Let’s transform Louisville together

DAVE BIGGERS FOR MAYOR
A Budget for People, Not Politics

Complete budget documentation available at rundaverun.org/budget
Version 1.0 | November 2, 2025