Artificial intelligence and a new firehouse: Greenberg unveils $1.2 billion budget proposal
From using artificial intelligence for Metro Government operations to funding the first new firehouse in over a decade, Mayor Craig Greenberg unveiled a number of new priorities in his proposed $1.2 billion city budget.
Now, the Louisville Metro Council will work to amend the budget over several weeks, before approving a finalized version in the summer.
In the budget proposal, released on April 24, Greenberg prioritized funding for public safety initiatives, including a new drone program, three new economic development funds and additions to the Community Care Campus, among others.
However, several notable projects received no funding this year, including the reconstruction of the Belvedere, the universal pre-K non-profit Thrive by Five and a proposed first responder training center.
The projects have not been canceled, but the administration did not believe the organizations were in a position where they needed new funding this budget cycle. Instead, Greenberg chose to invest the limited funds into other areas.
He also hopes to cut $5 million from city department spending, though it will not be a blanket 1% cut, as it was for the 2025 fiscal year.
Here's where Greenberg wants to put money for the 2026 fiscal year:
Greenberg announced plans to spend a "significant portion" of the city's budget on emergency services — from the Louisville Metro Police Department to the Louisville Fire Department to Alcoholic Beverage Control, and several others.
He also wants to launch a new drone program, which would make drones available to first responders at fires, hostage standoffs and other emergency scenes.
Greenberg also proposed to fund a new fire station for Engine 23, which is located next to Iroquois Park. The station is too small to house female firefighters, due to constraints on space for beds and bathrooms. Greenberg hopes the new funding, if approved, could change that.
In preparation for the proposed development around Slugger Field, Greenberg hopes to invest in infrastructure improvements for the "Diamond District." This will include paving, tree planting and plans to develop under a nearby overpass, though it is unclear what that could look like.
Three new development funds, each with $3 million, will be allotted to the East, West and South Ends. The South End fund will be focused on spurring business development, while the East End fund has been earmarked for infrastructure improvements. The last $3 million will go to Simmons College for its new STEM-focused campus near Shawnee Park.
Greenberg has allotted money for KentuckianaWorks, Goodwill, the AHOY Children's Museum, One West and the YMCA's Early Learning Readiness program.
Greenberg intends to automate some government functions with artificial intelligence, including open records requests and planning and zoning permits.
He also proposed a 5% raise for all non-union city employees and matching government city employees' contributions to a tax-free, early childhood flexible savings account.
His budget includes $30 million for paving, $2 million for sidewalks and $1 million for alleys — in addition to the $3 million East End Infrastructure Improvement Fund.
Greenberg earmarked $750,000 to external agency arts organizations, $750,000 to violence prevention external agency programs and $750,000 to social service external agencies.
Parks could also get a bump in deferred maintenance money, with the amount going from $2.9 million in the last budget to $3.2 this budget.
The full budget proposal will be available on the government's website.
More: Greenberg unveils Kentucky Derby guest list for 2025. Here's who's on it
This story will be updated.
Reach reporter Eleanor McCrary at EMcCrary@courier-journal.com or at @ellie_mccrary on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville mayor pitches AI, new firehouse, pay raises in new budget
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