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Budget Committee

Monday, June 22, 2026 · 3:00 PM AM · Council Chambers/Virtual

TL;DR

The Budget Committee approved Louisville Metro's operating and capital budgets for fiscal year 2026-2027 after making amendments to both documents. The committee also advanced a healthcare bond ordinance for Norton Healthcare and a property tax classification ordinance. All four main items passed and will move to the full Metro Council for final consideration on June 25, 2026.

Key Decisions

  • FY 2026-2027 Operating Budget Passed with amendments
  • FY 2026-2027 Capital Budget Passed with amendments
  • Norton Healthcare Revenue Bonds (up to $750 million) Recommended for approval
  • Real Property Tax Subclassifications for Urban Services District Recommended for approval
Agenda PDF Minutes PDF

Agenda

  1. Call to Order

    Chair Kramer called the meeting to order at 3:01 p.m.

  2. Roll Call

    Chair Kramer introduced the committee and non-committee members present. A quorum was established. Note: All committee members and non-committee members present attended in Chambers, except Committee Member Parrish-Wright, Committee Member Reno-Weber, Committee Member Parker, Committee Member Piagentini, Council Member McCraney, Council Member Owen, and Council Member Ruhe, who attended virtually.

  3. Pending Legislation
  4. 1. AN ORDINANCE OF THE LOUISVILLE/JEFFERSON COUNTY METRO GOVERNMENT, KENTUCKY, (I) AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF ITS HEALTH SYSTEM REVENUE BONDS (NORTON HEALTHCARE, INC.), SERIES 2026 IN ONE OR MORE SERIES IN AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $750,000,000, THE PROCEEDS OF WHICH SHALL BE LOANED TO NORTON HEALTHCARE, INC.TO (A) PAY OR REIMBURSE NORTON HEALTHCARE, INC. AND NORTON HOSPITALS, INC. FOR THE COSTS OF ACQUIRING, CONSTRUCTING, RENOVATING AND EQUIPPING CERTAIN HEALTH CARE FACILITIES OF NORTON HEALTHCARE, INC. AND CERTAIN AFFILIATES, AND (B) REFINANCE CERTAIN OUTSTANDING INDEBTEDNESS, AND (II) TAKING OTHER RELATED ACTION.
    Ordinance
    Action: recommended for approval Passed

    A motion was made by Vice Chair Winkler, seconded by Committee Member Joseph, that this Ordinance be recommended for approval. The following spoke to this item: - Jeff O'Brien, Economic Development - Chair Kramer The motion carried by the following vote and the Ordinance was sent to the Consent Calendar:

  5. 2. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 38 OF THE LOUISVILLE METRO CODE OF ORDINANCES (“LMCO”) TO ESTABLISH SUBCLASSIFICATIONS OF REAL PROPERTY FOR PURPOSES OF AD VALOREM TAXATION WITHIN THE URBAN SERVICES DISTRICT.
    Ordinance
    Action: recommended for approval Passed

    A motion was made by Vice Chair Winkler, seconded by Committee Member Joseph, that this Ordinance be recommended for approval. Committee Member Piagentini spoke to this item. The motion carried by the following vote and the Ordinance was sent to Old Business:

  6. 3. AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE LOUISVILLE/JEFFERSON COUNTY METRO GOVERNMENT INCLUDING APPROPRIATIONS AND AUTHORIZATIONS FOR OPERATION, MAINTENANCE, SUPPORT, AND FUNCTIONING OF THE GOVERNMENT AND ITS VARIOUS OFFICERS, DEPARTMENTS, COMMISSIONS, INSTITUTIONS, AGENCIES, AND OTHER METRO-SUPPORTED ACTIVITIES (AS AMENDED).
    Ordinance
    Action: recommended for approval Passed

    The motion to recommend for approval carried by the following vote and the amended Ordinance was sent to Old Business:

  7. 4. AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 CAPITAL BUDGET FOR THE LOUISVILLE/JEFFERSON COUNTY METRO GOVERNMENT INCLUDING APPROPRIATIONS AND AUTHORIZATIONS OF FUNDS FOR GENERAL CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE, REPAIR AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE FACILITIES AND ASSETS OF THE GOVERNMENT OF LOUISVILLE/JEFFERSON COUNTY AND OTHER LOUISVILLE METRO-SUPPORTED ACTIVITIES (AS AMENDED).
    Ordinance
    Action: recommended for approval Passed

    The following spoke to the amended Ordinance: - Council Member Lyninger - Committee Member Chappell The motion to recommend for approval carried by the following vote and the amended Ordinance was sent to Old Business:

  8. Adjournment

    Without objection, Chair Kramer adjourned the meeting at 4:00 p.m.

  9. Note: Items sent to the Consent Calendar or Old Business will be heard before the full Council at the Metro Council meeting on June 25, 2026.
  10. Clerk(s)

    Amy Golden, Assistant Clerk Sonya Harward, Clerk

  11. Support Staff

    Beth Stenberg, Council Financial Analyst Christina Scotland, Council Financial Analyst Hollie Hopkins, Jefferson County Attorney's Office Laura Ferguson, Jefferson County Attorney's Office Amanda Baker, Jefferson County Attorney's Office

  12. Non-Committee Member(s)

    Council Member Tammy Hawkins (D-1), Council Member JP Lyninger (D-6), Council Member Paula McCraney (I-7), Council Member Andrew Owen (D-9), Council Member Betsy Ruhe (D-21)

  13. 4. AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 CAPITAL BUDGET FOR THE LOUISVILLE/JEFFERSON COUNTY METRO GOVERNMENT INCLUDING APPROPRIATIONS AND AUTHORIZATIONS OF FUNDS FOR GENERAL CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE, REPAIR AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE FACILITIES AND ASSETS OF THE GOVERNMENT OF LOUISVILLE/JEFFERSON COUNTY AND OTHER LOUISVILLE METRO-SUPPORTED ACTIVITIES (AS AMENDED).
    Ordinance
    Action: amended Passed

    A motion was made by Vice Chair Winkler, seconded by Committee Member Herndon, that this Ordinance be recommended for approval. The following spoke to this item: - Chair Kramer - Aaron Jackson, Office of Management and Budget - Committee Member Chappell - Beth Stenberg, Council Financial Analyst - Vice Chair Winkler A motion was made by Vice Chair Winkler, seconded by Committee Member Herndon, that this Ordinance be amended as shown in the attached document titled "O-176-26 V.2 CAM 062226 Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Capital Budget.pdf" and "O-176-26 V.2 CAM 062226 ATTACH Exhibit A - Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Capital Budget.pdf." The motion to amend carried by a voice vote.

  14. 3. AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE LOUISVILLE/JEFFERSON COUNTY METRO GOVERNMENT INCLUDING APPROPRIATIONS AND AUTHORIZATIONS FOR OPERATION, MAINTENANCE, SUPPORT, AND FUNCTIONING OF THE GOVERNMENT AND ITS VARIOUS OFFICERS, DEPARTMENTS, COMMISSIONS, INSTITUTIONS, AGENCIES, AND OTHER METRO-SUPPORTED ACTIVITIES (AS AMENDED).
    Ordinance
    Action: amended Passed

    A motion was made by Vice Chair Winkler, seconded by Committee Member Herndon, that this Ordinance be recommended for approval. The following spoke to this item: - Chair Kramer - Aaron Jackson, Office of Management and Budget - Committee Member Piagentini - Beth Stenberg, Council Financial Analyst - Vice Chair Winkler A motion was made by Vice Chair Winkler, seconded by Committee Member Herndon, that this Ordinance be amended as shown in the attached document titled "O-175-26 V.2 CAM 062226 Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Operating Budget Various Officers, Departments.pdf", "O-175-26 V.2 CAM 062226 ATTACH Exhibit A - Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Operating Budget.pdf", and "O-175-26 V.2 CAM 062226 ATTACH Exhibit B - Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Operating Budget.pdf." The motion to amend carried by a voice vote.

  15. page break
  16. ID 26-0751 [See the "Unedited Captioning Transcript of the Special Budget Committee - June 22, 2026.pdf" attached hereto for additional information regarding discussion of each item.]
    Discussion Item
    Action: completed
  17. Transcript