A Message From Councilman Fleming

     Welcome to Metro Council District 7. Situated in the east end of Metro Louisville, District 7 is a dynamic area that contains seventeen suburban cities, each contributing to the high quality of life we have come to expect.       

     The Metro Council approved the FY2010 budget last Thursday in an environment of difficult economic challenges. Our debate and discussion to flush out as much as we can about the administration’s revenue and expenditure projections were by far the best the Council has held; however, this government needs to continue to improve on its fiscal policies.

     As part of this initiative to improve accountability, I have pushed for more open and efficient government. With the passage of this budget, the Council approved two amendments I sponsored. First, the Council approved funding of a study of the costs of delivering services of two Metro agencies, Metro Corrections and Fleet Management.  For several years I have encouraged my colleagues to implement a government-wide cost study of Metro Government services, as I believe that we will find significant cost savings.  To kick off this initiative, these two departments will be used in a cost study pilot project. Second, the Mayor is now required to report on the utility, valuation and marketability of Metro Government’s Infrastructure Assets that generate gross revenues in excess of $500,000.  The government owns and operates infrastructure assets, like parking garages.  We need to look at these services and question if government should be in the business of providing parking garages or should our focus be on providing services like public protection, roads and critical human needs.

     Several months ago, I launched an E-Transparency initiative.  Complimenting this program, the Council approved funding of the third party anonymous tip line which will allow residents and employees to report unethical or illegal behavior taking place within Metro Government.  We are hopeful that the tip line will be fully operationally by the end of August. In addition, we also funded “Louisvillecheckbook” which provides citizens with an online tool to review the Government’s expenditures for the past three years.

     Funding for Public Protection represents a significant majority of the budget followed by Public Works and Assets. The Council went through a process of ranking the priorities of services by department. This helped us focus on identifying important and essential services. This same list was posted on my website and I appreciate those individuals who filled out a priority survey which provided me a better understanding of the priorities of District 7 residents.

     District 7 will directly benefit from this budget with the inclusion of $200,000 to design and construct a sidewalk on Hubbards Lane from Hill Top Road to Coach Gate Wynde.

     The budget will take effect on July 1.  Additional highlights of the FY 2010 budget included:

1. Reserving approximately $8,000,000 (1.7 percent of entire budget) within FY10 budget in the event that revenue projections are less than budgeted.
2. Withholding the money collected from police take home cars until a final resolution is reached ($1,400,000).
3. Increasing the staff of the Metro Office of Internal Audit for the anonymous tip line and tracking and accounting of Federal stimulus money
4. Redeploying some personnel within the Department of Neighborhoods to other agencies of Metro Government during the third quarter of FY 2010 (Approximately $1,000,000 in operating savings)
5. Continuing funding for Traffic Light Synchronization equipment installation and programming for Shelbyville Road, Dixie Highway and Preston Highway.
6. Dedicating $800,000 in Road funds for Intersection Modifications in some of the most used suburban roads in Metro Louisville. Funds will be allocated to help improve traffic flow, safety and traffic lights located within busy intersections.

     If you want to stay informed on a regular basis, sign up for my E-  Newsletter that is sent after Metro Council meetings (twice a month) highlighting the meeting's ordinances and other information on events within District 7 and throughout our community. Just send your email address to ken.fleming@louisvilleky.gov to sign up.

     Thank you for the opportunity to serve you.

                      Sincerely,

                     Ken Fleming