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Committee on Equity and Inclusion

Thursday, February 24, 2022 · 4:00 PM AM · Council Chambers/Virtual

TL;DR

The Metro Council's Equity and Inclusion Committee met to discuss how district discretionary funds are allocated across Louisville. They recommended a resolution requiring the council to conduct an equity review of its budget before adoption, focusing on ensuring fair distribution of resources across different districts.

Key Decisions

  • Equity Budget Review Resolution Passed
  • Review of District Discretionary Fund Allocation Discussed, No Immediate Action
  • Examination of Equity vs. Equality in Budget Spending Ongoing Discussion
Agenda PDF Minutes PDF

Agenda

  1. Call to Order

    Chair Person Arthur called the meeting to order at 4:04 p.m.

  2. Roll Call

    Chair Person Arthur introduced the committee members and non-committee members present. A quorum was established. *NOTE: All committee members present attended virtually, except Chair Person Arthur, Vice Chair Piagentini, Committee Member Kramer, and Committee Member George, who attended in Chambers.

  3. Pending Legislation
  4. 1. A RESOLUTION TO REQUIRE METRO COUNCIL TO PERFORM AN EQUITY REVIEW OF ITS OWN BUDGET PRIOR TO ITS ADOPTION. (AS AMENDED)
    Resolution
    Action: untabled Passed

    A motion was made by Committee Member Winkler, seconded by Committee Member Chambers Armstrong, that this Resolution be untabled. The following spoke to this item: - Chair Person Arthur - LaTonya Bell, Metro Council Financial Analyst - Beth Stenberg, Metro Council Financial Analyst - Committee Member Kramer - Vice Chair Piagentini - Committee Member George - Committee Member Winkler - Committee Member Chambers Armstrong - Committee Member Shanklin The following was discussed: - There was a discussion regarding the peer city comparison spreadsheet created by the Metro Council Financial Analysts. (See attached) - There were several questions regarding similar peer city District designated/discretionary funds and a possible equity lens on those funds. - There was a discussion regarding the Louisville Metro Government Budget - Pg. 111. (Refer to: https://louisvilleky.gov/metro-council/document/operating-budget) - There was a discussion regarding the expenditures of each respective District's discretionary funds. - There was a discussion regarding the total amount of funds expended on various projects throughout Louisville Metro. - There was a discussion regarding the amount of discretionary funds expended on personnel salaries, supplies, and contractual services by each respective District. - There was a discussion regarding how District discretionary funds are allocated per District and if the funds are expended equitably. - There was a discussion regarding using an equity lens versus an equality lens when utilizing District designated/discretionary funds. - There were several questions regarding various projects that Louisville Metro funded in the previous budget. - There were several questions regarding what factors contributed to the decisions to fund selected projects. - There was a discussion regarding the "workroom" process and discussions during each budget cycle. - The "workroom" process allows Members to earmark priority projects and areas that are in need of funding. - There was a discussion regarding equity vision statements established by various Louisville Metro Government departments. - There was a discussion regarding Metro Council leading the charge with an equity vision statement. - There was a discussion regarding utilizing Metro Council designated funds in an equitable manner to benefit the entire community. - There was a discussion regarding different ways each District office may use their designated discretionary funds and how equitably those funds may be used. - There was a discussion regarding accountability in the equity lens when expending discretionary funds. - There was a discussion regarding how priority projects for each respective District may not be the same in other Districts. - There was a discussion regarding the overall cost of deferred maintenance on several Louisville Metro buildings and specifically, City Hall.

  5. Adjournment

    Without objection, Chair Person Arthur adjourned the meeting at 4:53 p.m. *NOTE: Items sent to the Consent Calendar or Old Business will be heard before the full Council at the Metro Council Meeting on March 3, 2022.

  6. Note: Agendas are followed at the discretion of the Chair. While an item may be listed, it does not mean all items will be heard and/or acted upon by the Committee.
  7. 1. A RESOLUTION TO REQUIRE METRO COUNCIL TO PERFORM AN EQUITY REVIEW OF ITS OWN BUDGET PRIOR TO ITS ADOPTION. (AS AMENDED)
    Resolution
    Action: recommended for approval Passed

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

  8. PAGE BREAK
  9. Clerk(s)

    Lisa Franklin Gray, Assistant Clerk Sonya Harward, Clerk

  10. Support Staff

    Natalie Johnson, Jefferson County Attorney's Office LaTonya Bell, Metro Council Financial Analyst Beth Stenberg, Metro Council Financial Analyst